Arnold, Oliver, Aungier and Dowling are bound for the Sportsground

THOUGH rugby is still in lockdown, Connacht have not being lying idle in making four new signings to strengthen their squad.

The Westerners have swooped for two players from Munster and two from Leinster ahead of action resuming on a date unknown. Covid-19 continues to have reprecussions for team sport in particular, but Connacht have been active off the pitch.

This week the province has confirmed the signings of Munster duo Sammy Arnold and Conor Oliver, and Leinster pair Jack Aungier and Oisin Dowling. The quartet will become Connacht players from July 1, with Arnold, Dowling and Aungier penning two-year deals.

Arnold has made 44 appearances for Munster since joining the province from Ulster in 2016, scoring eight tries in the process. The 24-year-old centre has been named both Ulster Academy Player of the Year and Munster Young Player of the Year, and made his International debut against USA in the 2018 Autumn Internationals.

Back row Oliver has featured 28 times for Munster since making his debut in February 2016 and was named Munster Academy Player of the Year the following season. The 24-year-old can play on either flanks or as a number 8, expanding the coaching team’s options heading into the new season.

Oliver and Arnold both featured for Ireland in the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship, when the boys in green were under the stewarship of current Connacht Attack Coach Nigel Carolan.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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