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YEAR Two of the Stuart Lancaster project is going to be fascinating.
Landing the Englishman’s services was a real coup for the operation, and Lancaster made a huge impact out west in his maiden campaign in charge. He had a profound effect at Leinster and he is poised to do the same out west.
These are exciting times for Connacht ahead of a new season filled with promise.
WHAT’S THE STORY?
Connacht finished last season like a runaway train. After a ropey start, losing seven of their first nine URC games, the Westerners found a rich vein of form and won eight of their final nine league ties to secure the eighth and final spot in the standings. A spot in the playoffs and a return to Champions Cup rugby were due rewards for a storming finish.
Under Lancaster’s watch, Connacht have returned to the all-court, high-tempo style of play which was the hallmark of the Pat Lam and Andy Friend eras. They are a joy to watch.
Harry West, a promising young midfielder, and Shane Jennings, a real all-rounder on the wing, were two of the breakout stars. Both players came through the academy pathway too.
Landing Lancaster was a real coup
Losing the talented Matthew Devine to Ulster in the summer was a blow but Lancaster still has serious depth at scrum-half, with Ben Murphy, Caolin Blade and Colm Reilly on the books.
Connacht’s brilliance didn’t go unnoticed by Andy Farrell, with Darragh Murray, Sam Illo, Billy Bohan and Sean Jansen all making Test debuts during the Six Nations and summer tour campaigns.
Jansen, in particular, had a big year and the New Zealand-born No 8 is becoming a key player in this exciting young side.
Cian Prendergast continues to lead from the front while Bundee Aki, who is likely to be playing his final season in Connacht colours, is poised for a big one.
Big things are expected of young tighthead Fiachra Barrett, while Hugh Gavin and Byron Ralston are returning to fitness and will further bolster the midfield stocks. Connacht’s backline has been lethal of late, with Josh Ioane, Sam Gilbert and Shayne Bolton earning plenty of plaudits.
Jansen made his Test debut for Ireland
The return of Mack Hansen is a major boost for Lancaster. The Ireland star has been plagued by a foot injury for the best part of 12 months, and Hansen played just one game for his province last time out.
The versatile 28-year-old, who has scored 15 tries in 30 Ireland appearances, will almost feel like a new signing for Lancaster.
ONE TO WATCH
SHAMUS Hurley-Langton has proven a shrewd signing. The teak-tough flanker arrived from Manawatu in 2022 and he has quickly become a fan favourite.
Hurley-Langton, despite his name, was not actually Irish-qualified when he first pitched up in Galway.
Hurley-Langton has been a shrewd signing
That will all change in 2027 when the 26-year-old backrower becomes eligible to represent his adopted nation on residency. Farrell is surely keeping tabs on Hurley-Langton at the moment. Ireland is not awash with top-class opensides at the moment and the Kiwi could make a late surge for the 2027 World Cup, especially if he holds off the challenge of Connors in the coming months.
A tough customer with real physical presence, Hurley-Langton has forged an excellent partnership with Prendergast and Jansen in this dynamic Connacht backrow.
WHO NEEDS A BIG SEASON?
BUNDEE Aki is poised for his 12th season at Connacht. Now 36, this is set to be Aki’s last dance on Irish soil, with a glittering career – for club and country – set to culminate at next year’s World Cup in Australia.
Aki has been a talisman for Connacht for a decade and he was central to their historic Pro12 triumph in 2016. A Test Lion and an Ireland stalwart, he has been a smash hit.
Aki has not quite been the force of old in recent times, however. Perhaps Father Time is catching up with the blockbusting midfielder. Aki has lost ground to Stuart McCloskey at international level and he will be feeling the heat at Connacht, with a plethora of exciting and hungry young centres on the roster. Cathal Forde, Hugh Gavin and John Devine will all have designs on the No 12 shirt.
Does Aki have one more season left in him? Time will tell.
Aki needs a big season out west
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
LANCASTER has managed to lure a couple of big names from Leinster. Convincing Ciaran Frawley to up sticks and switch to Connacht was a massive statement of intent.
Frawley was starved of game-time at out-half in his native province, starting just one game in the No 10 jersey in 15 months, and the Skerries man feels that a move to Galway could be the kickstart his careers needs.
Now 28, Frawley is keen to shake off the ‘utility’ tag and become a top-class out-half.
If he can get a consistent run of games, he could thrive in this new environment. His running game and offloading ability will complement a backline loaded with attacking threats in Aki, West, Hansen and Bolton.
Will Connors, meanwhile, is another Leinster player who is looking for a fresh start in Galway. The openside flanker was well regarded by Andy Farrell once upon a time and won seven caps on the Ireland head coach’s watch.
For a while, he was the preferred option ahead of Josh van der Flier. But a succession of serious knee injuries curtailed a promising career and Connors hasn’t played a match for his country since 2021.
Yes, he started a Champions Cup final against Toulouse in 2024, but he has fallen further down the provincial pecking order in recent times.
He still has a lot to offer, however.
Frawley got little game-time at Leinster
Connors’ real point of difference is his ability to scythe down opponents with his chop tackling. He is a handy addition to an already stacked stable of backrow forwards, which includes Prendergast, Jansen, Paul Boyle and Sean O’Brien.
Lancaster has looked to shore up Connacht’s frontrow resources, with Jerry Cahir, who was sourced from the AIL, making the move from Leinster, while South African loosehead Francois van Wyk will add some depth.
Trevor Woodman, the former Gloucester prop who helped England win the 2003 World Cup, has also been brought on board as a scrum coach.
Lancaster has done some serious work on the recruitment front.
PREDICTION
CONNACHT have some real glamour fixtures in the Champions Cup, with Saracens and Toulouse paying visits to the Sportsgrounds, along with road trips to Exeter and La Rochelle.
On their day they can trouble any team with their high-octane attack. In truth, they will just enjoy this European experience and some heavyweight encounters.
Lancaster has bolstered his squad with some smart additions, but Connacht still don’t have the depth to battle on two trophy fronts. They are likely to zero in on the URC.
With a settled squad and coaching group, they can build some serious momentum in the opening months. First up is the Stormers on their home turf on Friday, September 25. A big result against the South African heavyweights would tee them up nicely for looming games against Benetton (away), Glasgow (away), Zebre (home), Leinster (home), Scarlets (away), Edinburgh (home) and Ulster (away).
The province now has a forward pack laced with Test-calibre operators to complement a backline which is on par with any other big player in the URC.
If Frawley can find his feet, Connacht could be a real proposition this season.
Dark horses for the title? Absolutely.
INS AND OUTS
IN: Francois van Wyk (Bath), Jerry Cahir (Leinster), Will Connors (Leinster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Tom Connolly (Old Belvedere)
OUT: Jack Carty (Retirement), Jack Aungier (Munster), Joe Joyce (Gloucester), Matthew Devine (Ulster), Chay Mullins (Ulster). Denis Buckley, Temi Lasisi, Oisin Dowling Oisin McCormak David Hawkshaw (all released).
