id say a player like harris-wright is coming here to establish himself as no 1 and not play B+I. thats agood thing and hes probably about as highly rated a player as connacht could attract at this current stage of the clubs development. A very positive move imo and the one year deal prob has a lot to do with his injury problems this season.

The murphy one is a wee bit disapointing but probably reflects the budget restrictions.Still there are plenty of examples of AIL players coming good in pro ranks when given opportunity so hopefully this will be the case.

connachtexile wrote: True but McSharry did well and Murphy has been part of a semi-professional outfit for a good while. It will still be a big step-up but on a one year contract it isn't the biggest gamble we've taken.

Think Paddy Ryan plays for Cork Con but I might be mistaking him with John Ryan.

Any news on Borlase?

That's not like for like though, McSharry was only 21 and came via Leinster Schools & Academy and after Ireland U18 & 20's so he was already exposed to Pro structures pretty much from school.

connachtexile wrote:
Think Paddy Ryan plays for Cork Con but I might be mistaking him with John Ryan.

Any news on Borlase?

I believe there's better solution than your Italian or Cork guys, and even with more gametime than Borlase. He's an IQ moreover, good scrumager, very handy with the ball, knowing all kind of rugby (Italy, South africa, France and this year the tough English Championship). He is totally free, 25 years old, can play LH or TH.. Not for the first XV, but a very "complete, all-round" cover we are looking for, Royce Burke-Flynn.

True but McSharry did well and Murphy has been part of a semi-professional outfit for a good while. It will still be a big step-up but on a one year contract it isn't the biggest gamble we've taken.

Think Paddy Ryan plays for Cork Con but I might be mistaking him with John Ryan.

Any news on Borlase?

Oney year deals sounds about right.

Good opportunity for Harris-Wright. Would be worried about Murphy though unless they've been working on him over the last season already. At 26 it's a big ask to make the step up in to a fully pro environment. Very hard to unlearn bad habits, and they tend to be exposed in pressure situations the likes he won't have experienced with Corrib or Wegians...

official confirmations

Harris-Wright and Murphy to join Connacht ranks

With the Heineken Cup, RaboDirect PRO12 and British & Irish Cup competitions all arriving at the Sportsground next season Head Coach Eric Elwood has been busy extending Connacht’s squad and has added Jason Harris-Wright from Bristol and Brian Murphy from Galwegians to the Connacht ranks.
Adding to the extensive expansion behind the scenes both players join Connacht on one year contracts. Along with the Heineken Cup returning to Galway, the British & Irish Cup will add to the number of competitive fixtures in the season and there is a massive opportunity for exposure to rugby at the top level. Connacht Rugby are delighted to be able to provide genuine rugby experience to emerging, Irish-qualified talent and Harris-Wright and Murphy are the latest additions to that contingent.

24 year old hooker Harris-Wright is a product of the Leinster Academy and has 11 senior appearances for the club as well as four Heineken Cup matches under his belt including the 2011 final victory over Northampton Saints.

Jason was part of the Ireland U20 World Championship team that beat Tonga in 2008 and featured in all bar one of Ireland U20’s RBS 6Nations matches the same year.

Asked about joining Connacht he said:

“I would just like to say I'm delighted to have signed for Connacht Rugby and I’m really looking forward to being part of a great club who I believe are making huge strides both in Europe and in the domestic competition. I look forward to meeting all the lads and getting stuck into pre-season next month.”

His inclusion in next season’s squad will strengthen the depth at hooker with the experienced Adrian Flavin and Ethienne Reynecke already in situ.

Speaking about Jason joining the club Assistant Coach Dan McFarland said:

“I’m delighted to be working with Jason again; since I worked with him last with Ireland U20’s team he has gained a lot of experience including RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup with Leinster. He’s a good strong, aggressive athlete and this is a great opportunity for him to develop his game even further.”

Meanwhile 26 year old Brian Murphy earns his first professional contract having joined from Ulster Bank All Ireland League club side Galwegians. Murphy was voted the iRadio Senior Club Player of the Year at the recent Connacht Annual Awards having performed consistently over the course of the season. The versatile centre/fullback, who came through the Connacht age-grade system, was part of the 2006 Connacht U21 side that beat Leinster in Donnybrook. He went on to represent Connacht at Junior level before moving from Corrib RFC to Galwegians RFC and has been rewarded for his consistently high level performances in the All Ireland League this season.

connachtexile wrote: If we're looking for a back-up prop (and for my money I'd rather have a centre) what do folks think of Dave Ryan formerly of Munster? Munster let him go cause they said he got injured to much which is hilarious because they kept Darragh Hurley instead of him. He's currently playing for Calvisano in the Italian League with his brother Tim at TH so he'd probably love another bite of the Rabo 12 cherry. My only problem is that he's LH which we're pretty set with Wilks, Ah You and the emerging Buckley. Thoughts?

Does anybody have any info on their other brother Paddy Ryan? There were one or two rumors going around that he may have been interested in a move to Connacht last season. Maybe he isn't good enough, I don't know, think he plays with UCC or one of the Cork teams anyways.

connachtexile wrote: If we're looking for a back-up prop (and for my money I'd rather have a centre) what do folks think of Dave Ryan formerly of Munster? Munster let him go cause they said he got injured to much which is hilarious because they kept Darragh Hurley instead of him. He's currently playing for Calvisano in the Italian League with his brother Tim at TH so he'd probably love another bite of the Rabo 12 cherry. My only problem is that he's LH which we're pretty set with Wilks, Ah You and the emerging Buckley. Thoughts?

Wouldn't be a fan personally

I'm sure he had chances to come here when he was at Munster, and the fact that he's playing in the Super 10 in Italy which is a long long way below Pro 12, English Championship and probably even AIL level shows where his stock is

If we're looking for a back-up prop (and for my money I'd rather have a centre) what do folks think of Dave Ryan formerly of Munster? Munster let him go cause they said he got injured to much which is hilarious because they kept Darragh Hurley instead of him. He's currently playing for Calvisano in the Italian League with his brother Tim at TH so he'd probably love another bite of the Rabo 12 cherry. My only problem is that he's LH which we're pretty set with Wilks, Ah You and the emerging Buckley. Thoughts?

ummm, wrote: Bristol have announced Jason HW is leaving them for Connacht

Good stuff.

I've said it! I was following championship play off, hoping bristol defeat, ok I know it's mean, but I've predicted it would incite Jason to join us! So glad!

I heard that JHW was originally a wing forward in his school days, but never had the height, so he moved to hooker; he played well last year in Leinster, reliable, brave and has plenty of confidence. Great move for both Connacht and him.

I'm glad. He's got ambition which is always good. He could have stayed in Leinster and had a cushy number behind Strauss and Cronin but he chose to move and get gametime. He's come to us with the prospect of Heineken Cup Rugby next year. Think he'll be a good signing who'll up the competition between Reynecke and Flavin.

More good news. Definitely needed another good player at hooker and from what I've seen of him this lad should improve the squad and was the best IQ option available. A decent centre and maybe a backup prop and I'll be happy with our squad for next season.

Great, always thought he looked like a handy player.

Delighted !!!
Heres hoping Connacht turn out another Irish hooker

RonanL wrote:

ummm, wrote: Bristol have announced Jason HW is leaving them for Connacht

Good stuff.

I'm not sure if I'm thinking of the right guy (pardon the pun). Did he play for the Leinster senior team at all?

Seriously posh name. Welcome Jason

Yep same one

LeinsterProfile wrote: DOB: 19th Sep 1988
School: Presentation College Bray / Blackrock College

Leinster:
10 Magners Apps (3 Starts)
4 HEC Apps

Leinster A Caps: 10 (v Edinburgh x2, Ulster x3, Munster x3, Bristol, Connacht)
British & Irish Cup Caps: 4 (v Cornish Pirates, Exeter Chiefs, Newport, Gael Force)

Ireland Under-20 Caps: 10 (v Italy x2, Scotland x2, France, Wales, England, Argentina, New Zealand, Tonga)
Leinster Under-20 Caps: 5 (v Ulster x2, England Midlands, Munster, Connacht)
Ireland Under-19 Caps: 5 (v Scotland x2, Australia, South Africa, Japan)
Leinster Schools (Under-19) Caps: 3 (v Bedford University, Ulster, Munster)
Leinster Schools (Under-18) Caps: 4 (v RFU Academy, Ulster, Connacht, Munster)