Not bad at all.

Ulster Rugby fans were left in shock yesterday after learning that their star player Charles Piutau is set to leave them at the end of the season to join Pat Lam’s revolution at Bristol.

Piutau cites playing with his brother Siale as he approaches the twilight stages of his career as a huge selling point, but his wage packet at big spenders Bristol will no doubt have also played a massive role in his decision.

The former All Blacks winger is after signing a sensational £1,000,000 per season deal according to Telegraph Sport. Bristol apparently saw off strong competition from leading clubs in France to secure the deal and had to pay above the odds because of their current status outside of England’s top flight.

Piutau and fellow All Black signing Steven Luatua are understood to be signed as one of the two “marquee” players allowed by Premiership Rugby salary cap regulations, where the club can pay an unlimited salary to two designated players.

It is understood Piutau’s deal will still go through even if Bristol do not win promotion back to the Premiership. He will be the highest paid player in the world when he signs as Dan Carter’s current €1.2m deal with Racing is up at the end of the season.