Connacht and the IRFU have announced that Academy players Conor McKeon, Cormac Brennan and Pat O'Toole have all been rewarded with Connacht senior contracts for next season.

Connacht have confirmed that Bundee Aki will undergo surgery this week on an ongoing shoulder injury. The 27-year-old centre is expected to return in time for the start of the 2017/18 season.

Connacht's bid to set up a home Champions Cup play-off final next week fell short as Northampton Saints won a cagey battle 21-15 at Franklin's Gardens.

Home advantage in a Champions Cup play-off final is the carrot dangling in front of Connacht as they look to recapture their best form in Saturday's eagerly-awaited showdown with Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens.

Ireland internationals Niyi Adeolokun, Ultan Dillane and Matt Healy have all returned from injury to feature in Connacht's matchday squad for Saturday's Champions Cup play-off clash with Northampton Saints (kick-off 4pm).

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have announced that JP Cooney, Shane Delahunt, Steve Crosbie and Tom Farrell have all signed new contracts for the 2017/18 season.

Ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup play-off game away to Northampton Saints, the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update.

Following Gloucester's failure to win tonight's Challenge Cup final, Connacht's opponents in next week's Champions Cup qualification play-off have been confirmed - they will travel to Northampton Saints, Pat Lam's former club.

Connacht centre Bundee Aki has today had his appeal of a three-week suspension for misconduct rejected by a PRO12 appeals committee which met in Glasgow.

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the appointment of Peter Wilkins as the province's defence coach.

Following Saturday's final rounds of matches in the Aviva Premiership, GUINNESS PRO12 and Top 14 regular seasons, EPCR have confirmed that the following 19 teams have qualified for the 2017/18 Champions Cup.

The GUINNESS PRO12 Awards took place tonight at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin where nine winners and the Championship's Dream Team were honoured.

Conor Murray gave the Lions a fitness boost with a second half appearance in Munster's thunderous 50-14 GUINNESS PRO12 win over Connacht at Thomond Park.

Munster could top the GUINNESS PRO12 table with a win on 'Super Saturday' as they entertain last year's champions Connacht, who are gearing up for the upcoming Champions Cup qualification play-offs.

Ahead of the final round of GUINNESS PRO12 action this season, head coach Pat Lam has made eleven changes to the team to face Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday (kick-off 5:15pm).

Ahead of the GUINNESS PRO12 Awards this Sunday in Dublin, the Dream Team for the 2016/17 season has been revealed. Eleven provinicial players have been included, including six across the back-line.

Ahead of Saturday's GUINNESS PRO12 derby match away to Munster, the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update.

The regular GUINNESS PRO12 season will be capped off by 'Super Saturday' in round 22 as traditional derby games take place right across the Championship with all games kicking off at 5.15pm.

Entering into 'Super Saturday' and the final round of the GUINNESS PRO12, three teams have secured their semi-final places with the Ospreys heavy favourites to take the final berth.

Tiernan O'Halloran was voted the Connacht Rugby Players' Player of the Year by his team-mates and received the accolade at the annual Connacht Rugby Awards Ball in Galway on Sunday night

The Scarlets sauntered into the GUINNESS PRO12 play-offs with a 30-8 bonus point win over error-strewn Connacht at the Sportsground.

Connacht will be aiming to keep up their proud home record against Welsh regions - they have only lost to the Ospreys in the last three seasons - when they host the play-off-chasing Scarlets at the Sportsground tonight.

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have announced that Eric Elwood has been appointed to the role of Academy Manager for the province.

Ahead of Connacht's final GUINNESS PRO12 home game this season, head coach Pat Lam has made ten changes to the team to face the Scarlets at the Sportsground on Saturday night (kick-off 7.35pm).