Connacht Announce Tonetti Signing
As they gear up for their Heineken Cup debut, Connacht have announced the signing of Kyle Tonetti from Aviva Premiership club Sale Sharks.
Kyle Tonetti joined Sale last season where he earned 14 Aviva Premiership caps and scored a try against Connacht’s opening Heineken Cup opponents, Harlequins.
The 24-year-old former Blackrock College centre has represented Ireland at Under-19, Under-20 and Sevens level.
He was part of the 2007 Ireland Under-20 Grand Slam-winning team alongside current Connacht players Andrew Browne, Paul O’Donohoe, Thomas Anderson and Niall O’Connor.
A former pupil of St. Gerard’s School in Bray, Tonetti joined the Leinster Academy in 2007 and spent two years professionally contracted to the province, making three senior appearances – the last of which was against Connacht in April 2010 – and also earning 21 Leinster ‘A’ caps.
His new contract will see him play at the Sportsground until at least the end of the 2011/12 season.
Speaking about the signing, Connacht head coach Eric Elwood said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Kyle again, having known him since the 2007 Under-20 team that won the Six Nations.
“I’m sure he will fit nicely into the squad. We’re looking forward to him joining up with the team and working with him again.”