Connacht have announced that, so far, a 15-player squad has been assembled in the province's Academy for the 2023/24 season. There are five Year 1 additions, including two Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam winners and World Rugby U-20 Championship finalists, Fiachna Barrett and James Nicholson. Also joining the Year 1 ranks is centre Finn Treacy, a European Championship silver medallist with the Ireland U-18 Sevens team, hooker Matthew Victory, and out-half Sean Naughton. Moving up to Year 2 are three players who helped Ireland to retain the U-20 Six Nations title this year and reach the recent global decider - Ballina native Harry West, Hugh Gavin from Salthill, and John Devine from Ballinasloe. Joining them in Year 2 is Ireland Sevens international Chay Mullins, Daniel Hawkshaw, Matthew Devine, John's older brother, Oisin Michel and Shane Mallon. Completing today's newly-announced squad are Year 3 players, prop Charlie Ward and winger Josh O'Connor. While more players may be added as the season progresses, Connacht Rugby Academy manager Eric Elwood commented: "On behalf of Connacht Rugby, I would like to congratulate and welcome our new Year 1 Academy players. "We are all very much looking forward to working with them and I have no doubt they will add great value to the group."

2023/24 CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY SQUAD:

YEAR 1 - Fiachna Barrett (Prop) Finn Treacy (Centre) James Nicholson (Back-Three) Sean Naughton (Out-Half) Matthew Victory (Hooker) YEAR 2 - Chay Mullins (Back-Three) Matthew Devine (Scrum Half) John Devine (Centre) Daniel Hawkshaw (Centre) Shane Mallon (Centre) Oisin Michel (Prop) Harry West (Out-Half) Hugh Gavin (Centre) YEAR 3 - Josh O'Connor (Back-Three) Charlie Ward (Prop)