NEWLY-SIGNED CONNACHT prop Paddy McAllister says he is feeling invigorated by excitement ‘in all aspects’ surrounding Connacht ahead of the 2019/20 season.
From the prospect of playing under Andy Friend, a Heineken Champions Cup campaign and the forthcoming €30 million redevelopment of the Sportsground, McAllister found a lot to be enthusiastic about in the club he joins after four years with Gloucester.
However, as he approaches his 30th birthday this week the ex-Ulster man admitted he was feeling the heat of pre-season training.
“The older you get, the harder it is to get used to three sessions a day,” said the loosehead.
“All they (S&C staff) ask for is effort; on the pitch and off the pitch at home in recovery. We trust them to bring the stuff to us. It’s been a bit of a baptism of fire, but it’s been great getting to know everybody.”
WATCH 🎥 | New signing @PaddyMcAllister talks to us about his first few weeks in Connacht, pre-season so far, and embracing the West of Ireland culture.
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) July 16, 2019
You also get a sneak peek at some of our new @BLKIreland training gear coming your way soon! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ibo0NthqrV
McAllister feels that his family has settled in well in Galway and having spent time in Aurillac as well as Gloucester since leaving his home province, he is intent on immersing himself in the culture and community around the western province.
Myself and my wife were talking about (how) this next club I go to, I really want to invest everything into it. Connacht is the perfect place to do that and I feel I’m at the right age to share those experiences.”
He adds: “We’re excited for the next however-many years until I finish playing rugby, we’re just going to enjoy Connacht Rugby, enjoy Connacht as a place, win trophies and build this exciting young squad.”
Connacht last week unveiled their first pre-season fixture ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, a home clash with Munster on 21 September a week out from the Pro14 kick-off.
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Let me guess. Scotland are the dark horses for the championship.
Deja vue x 10 years.
@Stanley Marsh: they have the players to take it to the next step. Would love to see them competing for this year’s trophy by taking it up a notch, hopefully this 6 Nts is the most competitive tournament yet..
@Stuart: the game in Murrayfield will be a step up on the aviva game v England. Tuipulotu injury blunts them à but but still a very difficult fixture.
@Stuart: hopefully Italy beats them tomorrow !
If you say the same thing for 100 years eventually it might come true right? Finn Russell has one trophy to his name. The 2014-15 pro 14 title with Glasgow.
@Putland Road: or pro12 whatever it was called back then.
@Putland Road: That’s what we thought before 2009!
Be humble, they have a good side!
Lions 10. Followed by Smith and Prendergast.
King of the talkers. They’ll beat England and lose to Italy and Wales
Yeah yeah
Rugby’s Messi, if u believe Netflix, lol!