Connacht extend contracts of three homegrown players

Connacht Rugby have confirmed contract extensions for three academy products as the province continues planning for the coming seasons.

Darragh Murray and Cathal Forde have both signed new two-year deals, while centre John Devine has agreed terms that will keep him at the club through the 2026/27 season.

Second row Murray has been a regular presence since making his Connacht debut against the Ospreys in October 2022 and has now made 51 senior appearances.

His form earned him Ireland selection last summer, where he started both Tests against Georgia and Portugal. The 24-year-old also featured for the Ireland XV against Spain in November and is set to face England A later this month.

Forde, another Connacht pathway graduate, has become a key part of the squad after transitioning from out-half to centre. The 24-year-old has already played 64 senior games for the province and represented Ireland Under-20s during the 2021 Six Nations. He also came off the bench for the Ireland XV against Spain.

Devine, who turned 22 recently, signed his first professional contract last year and made his senior debut earlier this month against Montpellier in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster praised all three players as strong examples of the Connacht pathway delivering talent ready for top-level rugby.

“Darragh, Cathal, and John are all perfect examples of a fully-aligned Connacht pathway system," he said.

“They were given the tools and knowledge to excel in their respective clubs and schools, and then thanks to the work of Eric Elwood and his staff in the Connacht Academy, further developed their physical and technical skills ahead of their move to professional rugby.

“Darragh and Cathal are now consistently proving themselves at the highest level, and have also benefitted from international exposure either through the Ireland senior or Ireland XV teams.

“John has plenty of competition for game-time at centre, but fully deserved his debut against Montpellier a few weeks back and is on the right trajectory to become another talented player produced by the Connacht pathway.”