Former captain Jarrad Butler among the departures as Connacht confirm squad clearout
Jarrad Butler is one of a number of Connacht players departing the province this summer. Photo by Gareth Everett/Sportsfile
Connacht coach Pete Wilkins has confirmed the province’s squad for next season, with a number of experienced players departing at the end of the current campaign.
Former captain Jarrad Butler is one of 10 players who will leave for pastures new, with Tiernan O’Halloran retiring and Diarmuid Kilgallen off to Munster.
He’s expected to be joined by Tom Farrell, while Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Tom Daly, Gavin Thornbury, Matthew Burke, Oran McNulty and Tadgh McElroy are all on the way out as scrum-half Michael McDonald returns to Ulster after a loan.
The players will get a chance to say goodbye to the Connacht faithful on Saturday when they play their final home game against the Stormers.
“All our departing players should be very proud of the contributions they’ve made to our club and the province,” Wilkins said.
"It’s never easy to say goodbye to players, particularly those who have been with us for so long, but they’ve made a lasting impression with their teammates, the wider management team and the supporters. On behalf of everyone at the club I sincerely thank them and wish them every success in the future.
“I’m sure they’ll get the reception they deserve after the Stormers game, and they will always be welcome back to Dexcom Stadium.”
Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 16th May
Connacht will add new signings Temi Lasisi, David O’Connor, Piers O’Conor, Adam McBurney and Ben Murphy to their squad next season, while Josh Murphy returns after his 12-month leave to complete his medical studies.
Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin and Chay Mullins are stepping up from the Academy.
“We’re very excited about the squad we’ve assembled next season,” Wilkins said.
" We have evolved certain position groups, with the primary aim to strengthen the squad while still providing our exciting crop of young players the opportunity for further growth and development.
“It was important for us to have a degree of flexibility in certain positions, particularly around lock, back row and back three. That versatility will be really important for us as the season plays out.
“It’s a slightly smaller squad than the one that started this season which was a necessity due to the World Cup, so I think 43 contracted pro players, with our integrated Academy setup, gives us the right balance to allow us to compete on both fronts.”
