Nigel Carolan has added Dublin-born back Matthew Byrne to the Connacht Academy ahead of the start of the 2016/17 season.

Matthew Byrne, who joined up with the Connacht Academy squad this month, made eight appearances for the Ireland Under-20s in 2016.

In June's World Rugby Under-20 Championship, the former Terenure College schoolboy started on the wing in four of the five games, culminating in Ireland's first ever U-20 final which they lost to England.

The addition of the 20-year-old Byrne brings the number of players in the Connacht Academy to 20.

CONNACHT ACADEMY PANEL - 2016/17 SEASON:

YEAR 3 -

Jamie Dever (Prop)
Jack Dinneen (Hooker)
Ciaran Gaffney (Back-Three)
Marc Kelly (Back Rower)
Conor McKeon (Scrum Half)
Saba Meunargia (Prop)
 
YEAR 2 -

Cormac Brennan (Back-Three)
Conor Kyne (Prop)
Conor Lowndes (Scrum Half)
Stephen McVeigh (Back Rower)
Conan O'Donnell (Prop)
Ed O'Keeffe (Back Three)
Pat O'Toole (Hooker)
Cian Romaine (Lock)

YEAR 1 -

Matthew Byrne (Back-Three)
Peter Claffey (Lock)
Cillian Gallagher (Lock)
Conor Kenny (Prop)
Stephen Kerins (Scrum Half)
Adam Leavy (Winger)