Senior contracts for Connacht duo

Editor

Connacht and the Irish Rugby Football Union have announced that Academy players Sean O'Brien and Peter Robb have both signed senior deals.

The contracts will start from next season, with both players having made their debuts in the away Challenge Cup match against Enisei-STM.

"It is really exciting for us to have two more young players coming through from the Academy into the senior squad. Sean and Peter join Rory Parata, Shane Delahunt and James Connolly who have already been announced as graduates for next season and so we are very pleased with the talent stream coming through," said Connacht CEO Willie Ruane.

"So many people have been impressed with the performances of our young Academy players in the senior team this season and we believe that players like Sean and Peter have the potential to push hard for both Connacht and Ireland recognition in the future."

Head coach Pat Lam added: "So far this season, 45 players have played for us and a good few of them have been young Academy players like Sean and Peter who have made their step up to the senior team for the first time.

"They have trained well with us and grabbed the opportunity with both hands when it came.

"Playing your first game for Connacht in -27 degrees in Siberia was always going to be testing but like all the Academy players training with us they were well integrated in the team and felt comfortable in the systems.

"They both have a lot of potential as young Irish players and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with them again next season."