IAN KEATLEY is one of Ireland's best up-and-coming out-halves and is coming off the back of a very impressive first season with Connacht.

The 22-year-old first came to prominence in the Belvedere College senior cup team and has collected an array of Ireland caps from Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Sevens levels up to the 'A' side.

He was heavily involved in Ireland's 2007 Under-20 Grand Slam-winning campaign and worked his way into the Leinster Academy, playing for UCD and Clontarf along the way.

The Dubliner, who has a distinctive place-kicking style, improved his game-breaking skills with appearances for the Ireland Sevens team and pleased with his progress in Galway, he recently signed a one-year contract extension with Connacht.