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United Rugby Championship

JJ Hanrahan signs for Connacht

By Ian Cameron
Munster out-half JJ Hanrahan. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

JJ Hanrahan will leave the Dragons having signed on for Irish province and URC rivals Connacht. The 30-year-old scored 90 points in 15 games for the Dragons this season and will travel to Galway next month.

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The experienced Hanrahan has made over 165 club appearances during his career, including two spells with Munster, Clermont and a spell with Northampton Saints in the English Premiership.

Dai Flanagan, Head Coach at Dragons RFC, said: “We thank JJ for the dedication and professionalism he has shown throughout his time at the club.

“An opportunity for JJ to return to Ireland has arisen and, following conversations with him and taking into consideration the current climate in Welsh rugby, we have chosen as a club to help facilitate that move.

“JJ will leave us with our very best wishes for the future and we look forward to watching him back in action in the URC.”

JJ Hanrahan commented: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Dragons RFC and especially playing in front of the Dragons fans, albeit a lot shorter time than initially planned.

“I feel like I have made good friends with a great bunch of men at Dragons, and I really do wish the team all the very best for the future.

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“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped my wife and I throughout our time in Wales and at Dragons.”

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Jmann 11 minutes ago
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SA must go through the same as the peerless 2008-2017 NZ team did. And although they have never reached the same heights as Rugby’s GOAT team. They will face the same fate.

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Ardy 5 hours ago
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JD Kiwi 7 hours ago
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Tom 10 hours ago
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Bull Shark 10 hours ago
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RW 12 hours ago
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Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 13 hours ago
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Rob 14 hours ago
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Good

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Bull Shark 15 hours ago
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DG 16 hours ago
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RugbyAnalysis 16 hours ago
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Turlough 17 hours ago
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I think SAs problem is one of arrogance. Their boasting and goading before the Irish series was a perfect example of it. Ebens blood covered face is a good reminder of where lack of humility gets you. Hopefully they can proceed with more honour and less arrogance from now on. Pollard kicked 100% versus Ireland and still lost. Change it now.

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MO 17 hours ago
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WR 17 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Tough one but I disagree. Putting Libbok in most matches will cost us. Especially against better teams. He just doesn't have what it takes. Aside from his kicking woes, he is a very good player. Pollard are the best option for tough games, but SFM is the best choice for me. He can do what both other players can do. He can play more positions than them. He is the best SA have now and will be for a very long time to come. We have an absolute super star like Kolbe, KLA and Moody in SFM. Time to get him in that 10 jersey and let him show case his absolute class. To let him grow and learn all he can from Tony Brown as we won't have TB for always. Most likely only until 2027. NZ will want him back. Time to cash in and go for broke. ML as an impact player might be a better option unless it's against a top 5 team, then best to have HP on the bench in case. That's not experience that can be chucked away. That would be stupid. We have WLR and DW at 15, HP and SFM at flyhalf. If anything, why not see how ML performs as a a scrum half? I know it's not his usual position, but he can be converted. You can't exchange what (in my personal opinion) is one of the best centre pairings currently in the world for ML or HP. That would be a disaster. No, we need HP at least on the bench playing top 5 in the WR.

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WR 17 hours ago
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Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

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Mzilikazi 18 hours ago
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Thanks , Brett. It will be a very powerful Lions team, but the WB’s will be stronger too, would be my feeling. I don’t see it being all one way traffic.

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StephenE 18 hours ago
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Bull Shark 18 hours ago
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Bull Shark 18 hours ago
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