Connacht confirm six new contracts and 12 departures

Connacht Rugby has taken another step in rebuilding its squad for the resumption of rugby after announcing that six players have signed professional contracts with the province, having come through the Connacht Academy.

That brings to 10 the number of new faces in the squad for next season, as the province had announced four new signings last month – but while Connacht welcome those new faces into the fold, it is also saying ‘goodbye’ to a dozen players, including some very experienced leaders who will be hard replaced.

On the arrivals front, Niall Murray, Colm Reilly, Seán Masterson, Conor Dean, Jordan Duggan and Peter Sullivan will all be integrated into the professional squad ahead of the new season, after making the step-up from the Academy.

Murray made his professional debut for Connacht in December – coming off the bench in the victory over Gloucester in the Heineken Champions Cup – before his first start against Leinster during the Christmas interpros.

He was also a member of the Ireland U-20 squad for the 2019 Six Nations and World Championships, as was Reilly, who scored the Grand Slam-winning try in the final game away to Wales in that 2019 campaign.

Masterson made his debut in the Guinness PRO14 victory over Treviso, replacing his brother Eoghan; and he also featured during the Christmas interpros, coming off the bench against Leinster.

Dean has already been capped for Connacht, starting in Thomond Park against Munster in the final game of the 2018/19 Guinness PRO14 regular season; Duggan has been capped at Ireland U-19 and U-20 level, and played for Ireland at the U-20 World Championships; while Sullivan joined the Connacht Academy last season and stood out for the Connacht Eagles in the 2019/20 Celtic Cup campaign.

They will join Sammy Arnold and Conor Oliver, who have signed from Munster; and Jack Aungier and Oisin Dowling, who are arriving from Leinster. The province is also believed to be interested in signing New Zealander, Dalton Papalii, from The Blues – a 22-years-old flanker who has been capped three times by New Zealand, he would be a direct replacement for Colby Fainga’a, one of the dozen departures from the province.

“We are delighted to confirm today’s news as we build for the future,” Connacht head coach, Andy Friend, said of the six ‘promotions’.

“I am a firm believer that a club’s lifeline is its Academy structure, and this exciting group of young players proves that the Connacht Academy is extremely healthy, and will continue to have a positive impact on our squad going forward,” he said.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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