New signing boosts spirits as Connacht head into critical part of the season

ASK Nigel Carolan if he’s been talking to Bundee Aki and Kieran Marmion since they featured in Ireland’s Grand Slam victory against England in the Six Nations Championship on St Patrick’s Day, and a large smile lights up the face of the backs coach.

“No, I’ve just sent them a couple of texts, I think they’ve been busy,” he quipped, with a side-glance to number eight Jared Butler, who was sitting next to him, also laughing.

It’s probably safe to assume that Aki and Marmion were still celebrating the part they played in Ireland’s history-making season which culminated in a glorious triumph at Twickenham on Saturday. And why wouldn’t they be?

Not one Connacht player represented Ireland during the nation’s second ever Grand Slam in 2009. So, to have four westerners on the squad that won all five Six Nations matches nine years later – Ultan Dillane and Quinn Roux featured earlier in the campaign – represents progress that should be toasted.

The province’s CEO, Willie Ruane certainly thought so, which is why he called a meeting on the eve of the Grand Slam match to highlight the positives and reiterate the future was bright.

“Willie assembled all the staff last Friday, before the weekend’s match, and it was about sharing and revisiting Connacht’s vision and strategy and that hasn’t changed,” explained Carolan.

“Even on the back of these players that have achieved a Grand Slam victory, the strategy and the vision is still the same: It should be a dream for any young player in Connacht that they can become a professional player in Connacht, and hopefully they can be successful with Connacht and through that, you have the ability to play for your country.”

It’s that vision that has attracted high-profile signings to Galway; and if we are to believe the hype, perhaps none have matched the profile of Connacht’s latest signing.

The unveiling of Zimbabwean-born Kyle Godwin (25), who is coming to Galway from Australian outfit, Brumbies, who compete in the Super Rugby, has caused quite a stir.

Carolan waxed lyrical about the versatile back, who can play inside and outside centre and full-back, and paid him the ultimate compliment when comparing him quite favourably to Aki.

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