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Connacht sign four players from rival provinces Leinster and Munster
The growing trend of players moving between the four provincial teams in Ireland is showing no signs of slowing down, with Connacht today confirming the signing of four players already in the Irish system. The Galway-based club have confirmed that Munster players Sammy Arnold and Conor Oliver, and Leinster duo Jack Aungier and Oisin Dowling will all join Connacht from July 1st.
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Munster have also confirmed that 22-year-old tighthead prop Roman Salanoa will join from Leinster on a two-year deal.
Arnold, Dowling and Aungier have all signed two-year contracts with Connacht, with the length of Oliver’s deal undisclosed.
Arnold, capped once by Ireland, will complete the rare feat of representing three of the Irish provinces.
Born in Surrey, the 24-year-old centre has played for both Ulster and Munster, winning Ulster’s Academy Player of the Year before moving south in 2016, where he won Munster’s Young Player of the Year award.
Oliver has made 28 appearances in the Munster back row since making his debut in February 2016, and was named Academy Player of the Year the following season.
Both Arnold and Oliver worked with Connacht attack coach Nigel Carolan while part of the Ireland squad at the the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship.
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Aungier and Dowling become the latest young prospects to leave Leinster’s highly competitive senior squad in search of more game-time.
Prop Aungier has made five appearances in the Guinness Pro14 since his debut last November, while Dowling has clocked up six appearances across the past two seasons.
Connacht head coach Andy Friend believes all four players can make significant contributions to his squad.
“In Sammy, Conor, Oisin and Jack we have secured the signings of four very talented and promising young Irish rugby players,” he said.
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“They each have unique skillsets which will enhance our squad for next season and beyond, and will allow us to continue to grow as a program. We’re all looking forward to welcoming them to The Sportsground and integrating them into our playing squad.”
Connacht were sitting fourth in the Guinness Pro14 table when the league was suspended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, winning seven of their 13 games.
?? | Connacht Rugby are pleased to announce four new signings ahead of the new season ?
Sammy Arnold, Conor Oliver, Jack Aungier & Oisin Dowling will all join the squad from July 1st ?#StrongerInGreen #HomeAdvantage
Full story ? https://t.co/tdcQqO5eEl pic.twitter.com/dfTNt0ctZM
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) May 18, 2020
Meanwhile, Munster have announced the signing of tighthead prop Roman Salanoa on a two-year deal.
Hawaiinan-born Salanoa represented the USA U20s as an 18-year-old in 2016 and moved to Dublin the following year.
He has made three Pro14 appearances this season.
Munster head coach Johann van Graan said Salanoa is a promising prospect, while also thanking the departing Arnold and Oliver.
“We are delighted to add to our tighthead options with the signing of Roman. He is an exciting prospect and we look forward to welcoming him to the province.”
“I would like to thank Conor and Sammy for everything they have done for Munster Rugby.
“As two young hugely talented players they both have very bright futures ahead and we wish them every success.”
?? Munster Rugby can confirm that @SammyArnold9 and @ConorOliver are departing the province next month as tighthead prop Roman Salanoa joins the senior squad.
All the best to Sammy and Conor at Connacht and we're looking forward to welcoming Roman to Munster!#SUAF ?
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 18, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments