A shake-up in Irish rugby sees a prominent Leinster player make a significant move!
It's been confirmed that Will Connors, a dynamic back-row player, is set to join Connacht for the upcoming season. This move marks a significant shift for the 29-year-old, who will be leaving the familiar surroundings of Leinster to play at the Dexcom Stadium. He's not the only one making the switch; Ciarán Frawley has also committed to Connacht, indicating a growing trend of talent moving west.
Connors has penned a two-year agreement with the Galway-based club, and this reunion is particularly noteworthy as he'll be working under his former Leinster senior coach, Stuart Lancaster, once again at The Sportsground. For those keeping track, Connors actually played against his future team just last Saturday in a thrilling interprovincial clash. But here's where it gets interesting... Connors' career at Leinster, spanning nine seasons, has been marked by 62 appearances, though unfortunately, it's also been a journey punctuated by injuries. He's also earned nine caps for Ireland, showcasing his international pedigree.
His journey with the national team began in 2020 under the guidance of Andy Farrell, where he played consistently until a serious knee injury sustained during the 2021 Six Nations halted his progress. This unfortunate run of luck meant he only managed to play two games between March 2021 and September 2022. And this is the part most people miss... the resilience required to overcome such setbacks is immense.
Reflecting on his time with Leinster, Connors expressed his gratitude: "I've had a fantastic nine seasons with Leinster, and am very grateful for all that was achieved in that time." He's eager to conclude his current season strongly before embarking on his new chapter in the west. "I look forward to finishing the season strongly before making the move west in the summer and joining up with a really exciting and talented group," he added. His decision to move was influenced by the club's aspirations: "After chatting to Stuart and the team, it’s clear there’s enormous ambition in the club to be successful in the years ahead."
Connors also spoke about the palpable atmosphere at the Dexcom Stadium, which he experienced firsthand. "Connacht is a proud rugby province, which I experienced first-hand in Saturday’s game at Dexcom Stadium. The atmosphere there was electric on what was clearly a very special night for the club, and I’m eager to contribute to that renowned connection between the fans and the team."
Connacht's head coach, Stuart Lancaster, who previously coached Connors for six seasons at Leinster, is enthusiastic about the signing. "I’ve seen Will’s ability first-hand and I know he’ll be another big asset to Connacht next season," Lancaster stated. He highlighted Connors' well-known tackling ability and defensive work rate, but also pointed out his attacking strengths, which he's keen to develop. "He also has a positive personality who brings great energy to the group and real potential as a leader. I’m sure he will thrive in the environment we are building here in Connacht," Lancaster continued, expressing his delight that Connors chose to join them as they aim to "evolve and grow the quality and competition in the squad."
Now, for a bit of contrasting news... In other developments, Jeremy Loughman has committed his future to Thomond Park by agreeing to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the province until 2028. The 30-year-old loosehead prop, who has played an impressive 128 games since joining from Leinster's academy in 2017, was also part of Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad. While he hasn't featured for the national side since early 2024, he has the opportunity to add to his five Test caps in the upcoming Six Nations, having been named in Andy Farrell's squad.
What do you think about these player movements? Is the shift of talent from Leinster to Connacht a sign of a more competitive landscape in Irish rugby, or does it highlight other underlying issues? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your agreement or disagreement!
