CONNACHT HAVE TODAY announced the signing of three new contracts among their back-line as they look towards the mid-term future.
Academy out-half Jack Carty, Irish qualified Kiwi Miah Nikora and winger Tiernan O’Halloran have all agreed to new deals.
21-year-old Athlone native Carty has been rewarded for a handful of impressive first-team outings this season with his first professional contract to last one year. Nikora will also remain at the Sportsground, despite a shoulder injury preventing him from building on his 66 caps so far this season.
O’Halloran has also amassed over 60 appearances with his province since the Connemara wing made the step up from the academy in the 2009/10 season, and the 22-year-old has been handed a two-year-extension.
“We are very pleased that Tiernan, Miah and Jack will all be with us next season and all have a significant role to play,” said head coach Pat Lam in today’s statement.
“Miah has endured a tough year with injury but will be desperate to make up for lost time.
“Tiernan and Jack are both proud Connacht-born players and testament to the young talent we have here. Both have shown that they have what it takes to make a real contribution to the squad and they will no doubt build on the good work done this season.”
While the re-signing of the trio is a boost for the squad’s continuity into next season, questions still remain over centre Eoin Griffin.
The 23-year-old is out of contract this summer and is reportedly the target of London Irish as the Premiership club looks to reforge links to this country under new ownership.
It is an absolute disgrace that Joe Schmidt doesn’t consider Duncan Casey for the Autumn Internationals.
He is praised all over the media from rugby experts and picks Strauss instead…with a very questionable reason that “he understands how South Africa plays”, as some newspaper reveals today.
Seriously Like!!!
Schmidt is either blind or having a laugh.
Now is the time for young lads to show if they are worthy. Come the 6 Nations it’ll be too late.
A couple of points.
The only important figures missing are Healy and O Brien. The other players mentioned are not part of the core group.
Also what real importance do the Autumn internationals have outside of preparation for the 6N and the WC? (With the exception of some day maybe beating New Zealand that is)
From that perspective blooding New players has got to be good whether through design or default.
Andrew Trimble? The outstanding Irish player of the recent Six Nations? Not an important figure or part of the core group?!
You should pay more attention, old boy.
Hard to argue with Phil here, old boy.