With the beginning of the 2016/17 season drawing nearer, the reigning champions will undoubtedly be gearing up for a strong start to the year.
Connacht received praise week after week as coach Pat Lam incorporated a more “Southern Hemisphere” style to the team’s game plan, with their quick, running rugby outshining many other teams in the process.
However, Connacht will have to adapt to some big changes to their squad with nine players leaving the club, including four from the Pro12 Final-winning squad, Robbie Henshaw, Rodney Ah-You, Aly Muldowney and AJ MacGinty, while only four incoming players have been confirmed.
Lions’ outside-half and one-time Springbok, Marnitz Boshoff will join the squad at the end of the Super Rugby season.
Boshoff will likely fill the gap left at MacGinty’s departure and will hopefully provide a more solid kicking option for the team.
Meanwhile, two New Zealand-born and Irish qualified players will join Connacht’s ranks.
Utility back Josh Rowland was offered a contract after an impressive performance with the Irish 7’s team in the Olympic qualifiers and Dominic Robertson-McCoy was signed from Northland Rugby and will provide a much-needed choice at tighthead prop with the Ah-You’s departure and Finlay Bealham’s absence due to international duty.
Other signings include Cian Kelleher, a Leinster Academy fullback, Eoin Griffin, a centre from London Irish and Conor Carey, a Nottingham prop.
Connacht also see a change in backroom staff as former player Conor McPhillips replaces Andre Bell as Backs Coach.
Another former player, Eric Elwood is also making a return in an advisory capacity to the team’s kickers.
Pat Lam has left no illusions as to Connacht’s ambitions for a double title and if they continue to improve as they have it may be hard to deny it to them.
This year will also see Connacht’s fourth outing into the Champion’s Cup, the last being 2013/14, and have every intention to leave their mark on this season’s tournament.
