CONNACHT HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of Australian-born, Irish-qualified Liam McNamara for next season.
The 26-year-old is currently a member of the Ireland Sevens squad, having previously spent three years as a member of the Australian Sevens squad – where he was coached by current Connacht director of rugby, Andy Friend.
He was also capped for Australia U20s and was a member of the Queensland Reds squad for the 2018/19 Super Rugby season.
McNamara was born in Brisbane but qualifies for Ireland through his Dublin-born father.
“I’m delighted to be joining Connacht next season,” McNamara said.
“I’ve loved my time in playing for the Ireland Sevens, so to now play XVs rugby in the URC is a brilliant opportunity for me.
I know many Aussie-born players have made an impression when joining the club and I hope to make a similar impact.”
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins added: “We have been tracking Liam’s development over recent seasons and he has made a great impression both in the XV’s and Sevens game.
“He is a player who has experience across almost every position in the backline, from the back three, to midfield and fly-half, so provides us with multiple options and helps to further build our depth for next season.
“In that regard Liam is the perfect addition to our squad and we’re excited to welcome him to Connacht Rugby.”
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We should focus more money up front. Our backs and their replacements are at a much higher level than our forwards in terms of depth. We have a world class back 3 and have bought another back 3 player whilst at the same time struggle in the front row when Bucks and Finlay are out with very little strength in depth at hooker… forwards win matches …..
@Michael Griffin: and we need a 10 badly !
@Michael Griffin: was thinking the exact same thing.
@Paul Hogan: Agreed, Hawks looks promising but is young and Jack is with us until 2025 to help develop him. Not sure that he wouldn’t prefer to be at centre though . I remain to be convinced about Fitz.
@Michael Griffin: world class back 3?
@Patrick O’Sullivan: Santiago Cordero and Mack would make most international teams and whilst John Porch might not, he’s a very good winger that you could use with Mack at full back. Compare that to our front row. Finlay would get onto a lot of international teams but after that we struggle. Heff has a couple of caps but TBH I don’t really rate him, I do rate Delahunt higher but he’s retiring. Bucks is 33 this year, a class act who owes us nothing, but not much more time left with him. Admittedly Dooley was a good signing for us but we need more up there esp at TH and hooker.
@Michael Griffin: Declan Moore reported to be moving from Ulster to Connacht, was at Munster before, only played 3 times for Ulster once for Munster, seams to be just a squad level hooker. Adam McBurnley at Edinburgh may be a good addition,but has another year on his contract. Niall Annett at Bath, how long is his contract there?
@Michael Griffin: Aungier is having a super season as replacement TH is only 23.
O’Halloran and Conor Fitz are most likely moving on, Wootton retiring. So Cordero and McNamara are replacing them.
I agree Delahunt should’ve been retained but we have Heffernan, DTM and de Buitlear.
@Kevin McCabe: Agree Jack is doing reasonably well but what happens if he or Finlay get injured?
As I said, don’t really rate Heff that highly and DTM are DeB are both very inexperienced. (about 25 caps between them).
Happier on the LH side with Bucks and Dooley and Burke looks promising too.
Super signing
Wow…
Who’s leaving connaught
@Martin Faherty: Wootton, Marmion and Delahunt confirmed, likely Adam Byrne, Fifita, TOH, Masterson, Booth, Conor Fitzgerald joining them.
Decent player by all accounts, very much in the mould of Hansen but with a bit more pace.