Raft of players departing Sportsground as inter-pros fixed for late August

CONNACHT have been given something to aim for in the Autumn as a raft of players are departing the province.

Local hero Darragh Leader, Robin Copeland, Tom McCartney, David Horwitz, Joe Maksymiw, Colby Fainga’a and Angus Lloyd are among the squad members who have played their last games for Connacht.

With competitive rugby still sidelined by the coronavirus, it has overshadowed the comings and goings at the Sportsground.

This season has been thrown into disarray but Connacht could be set to resume action in late August with two inter-provincial derbies.

But their proposed clashes with Ulster (August 21/22) and Munster (August 28/29) will both be held behind closed doors and at the Aviva Stadium.

It is then planned to stage the PRO14 semi-finals the following month, but there are no indications yet if Connacht’s play-off for European Champions Cup qualification – most likely against the Dragons – will be part of that emergency fixtures schedule.

If speculation that next season’s Champions Cup is to be increased from a 20 to 24-team competition is confirmed, it would eliminate the need for a PRO14 play-off as both Connacht and the Dragons would automatically qualify.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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