Further Connacht Signings On The Way
Connacht Rugby have announced that the signing of two new players will be finalised in the near future.
The province’s Chief Executive Tom Sears and incoming head coach Pat Lam have been working hard off the field to secure these signings.
They have confirmed that they expect to be adding an outstanding young back rower and a versatile international player to the back-line for the 2013/14 season.
In addition, there are further Connacht re-signings to be announced in the coming weeks.
Speaking about the westerners’ squad recruitment and retention programme, Sears said: “It’s gone very well. We had a few areas we were working on but we are pleased to say that our plans are now falling into place.
“The fact that these new players, as well as the likes of Craig Clarke, Aly Muldowney and Fionn Carr have chosen to commit to Connacht is a clear sign of the progress we have made and our intent going forward.
“We have signed some top quality, experienced players and some exciting, young talent with real potential.
“As well as that, we have extended the contracts of many of our key senior players in the last few months – a true indication that there is a real belief amongst the squad in what we are trying to achieve here at Connacht.
“Since his appointment, Pat Lam has been very much involved in our recruitment and retention programme along with Eric (Elwood) and the rest of the coaching and Academy staff.
“We have been reviewing our squad depth, looking at succession planning, the players coming through our Academy and identifying players we want to bring in at senior and Academy level both for next season and in future years to ensure we build the best squad possible.”
He added: “We have now put the finishing touches to the squad for the season ahead and these signings will be announced very shortly.
“Our talent identification and recruitment programme is a year round operation and we are constantly identifying and assessing players who we believe can take Connacht forward.
“Developing players through our Academy system and signing the best players from outside our system, whether within Ireland or internationally, is fundamental to what we want to achieve.
“It has been successful this year and with the systems and networks we are putting in place we expect to further improve our squad year on year.”