Former Scotland captain Jonny Petrie has left his role as CEO of Ulster Rugby by mutual consent.

The ex-Glasgow Warriors player, who also had a spell as managing director at Edinburgh, had been in charge at Ulster for five years but it’s now been confirmed that he has left them.

Petrie exit follows head coach Dan McFarland, with the former Glasgow assistant being allowed to leave in February and he’s been replaced by Ireland U20 head coach Richie Murphy on an interim basis.

An interim CEO will also replace Petrie with Ulster currently in South Africa preparing for this weekend’s game with Stormers.

A short statement from Ulster confirmed the exit with Irish Rugby CEO Kevin Potts saying: “The IRFU and Ulster Rugby thank Jonny for the five years spent with Ulster Rugby and wish him well, both personally and professionally, for the future.”

Ulster have been dealing with financial issues over recent times with Petrie telling supporters that there would be a ‘period of readjustment’ because of them.

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Despite the exit, former Edinburgh flanker and current Ulster forwards coach Roddy Grant insists it won’t cause the playing squad any issues with their preparations.

He said: "Pro sports team are well used to getting their heads down, focusing and getting on with the job.

"Rugby is an easy one, certainly for the players, that come the weekend when you will be facing some big South Africans who are going to be physical, you don't have much room for anything else other than what is in front of us.

"One thing I have learnt, sport is a great profession. Everyone can think of a million bits of pressure that you can think about, but you have to focus at the task at hand.

"Any speculation, any pressure or anything like that, everyone - players, staff - you are judged on what you do, so that quickly focuses the mind. It's a tough profession."