CONNACHT HAVE REINFORCED their second row options by tying down Quinn Roux and Ultan Dillane on new two-year deals.
Both locks will remain with the western province until at least the summer of 2017.
South Africa native Roux joined Pat Lam’s squad on a loan deal from Leinster this season, having originally moved to Ireland in 2012. The 24-year-old struggled for extended game time at Leinster, but has thrived under Lam since his switch.
Roux’s contract was set to expire at the end of the current campaign, but Connacht have acted to ensure the former Stormers second row stays in Ireland for another two seasons.
Residency rules mean 6ft 5ins Roux qualifies to play for Joe Schmidt’s Ireland in August of this year.
Meanwhile, the new deal for 21-year-old Dillane speaks volumes of the potential the former Tralee RFC man possesses. The French-born lock has made four appearances for Connacht in the last two months, including a first start against Ulster in December.
Having originally come through the Youths system in Munster, Dillane was picked up by the Connacht academy and developed under the tutelage of Nigel Carolan. An Ireland international at U18 and U19 levels, Dillane is now learning swiftly from Connacht forwards coach Dan McFarland and will move onto a senior contract next season.
Lam welcomed news of both new contract deals:
“As a coaching team, we are very excited to have both Quinn and Ultan staying with Connacht for at least the next two years,” said Lam.
“They are both young, abrasive locks who have real physical presence. I believe with continued game time and exposure at this level, they have the potential to play for Ireland in the near future.
Quinn is someone who has impressed us all massively since he came in during the summer. His work ethic and desire to succeed on and off the field was apparent from day one. He has fit in extremely well with the rest of the squad and I know our supporters have really embraced him as well.
“It’s a very important part of our vision and succession planning to have players coming through from the Academy. Ultan is someone we have watched develop under the guidance of Nigel (Carolan) and Jimmy (Duffy).
“He seized his opportunity last month and displayed in all three inter pro games the talent he has. We’re delighted that he will be stepping up to the senior squad next year.”
Those grapes must be bitter tasting … It wasn’t the ref or people outside the ropes that won it – KT clearly did so in the ring.
Very disappointing from Cameron, to be expected I suppose, hopefully Katie gives it to her in # 3
You want the money honey
She rubbed Katie’s nose in it after the first fight, sore loser now that the tables are turned, be gracious in defeat as well as victory Chantelle
Cant have a trilogy without a 3rd fight, but where, Londons O2? Middle east? Vegas, Maddison Square gardens, the third fight of the trilogy should sell out anywhere.
@Kingshu: hopefully Croke park
@Harry: Croke Park is too big. The Boxing Ring would be too far away from the Stands. Besides, I don’t think the Boxing crowd size can jump 10-fold from the capacity of The Point theatre
And the circus begins,you be the villain, be bitter ,if you can go for I hate her perfect, let the ticket sales begin,ching ching to both.Its hype