New Connacht contracts for Hansen and O'Halloren

CONNACHT Rugby announced last week that Irish international Mack Hansen and the club's longest serving player Tiernan O'Halloran had committed their futures to the province.

In Hansen's case, he has signed up for the long term by inking a new contract until 2025. O'Halloren, meanwhile, has signed a one-year contract extension.

Hansen had 12 months remaining on his existing contract but has now agreed to extend his time at the club by at least a further two years beyond his current deal.

The back three player has enjoyed a stunning first season at the club, scoring six tries in 14 matches since arriving from the Brumbies. His performances earned him a first call-up to the Ireland squad for the November internationals, and he then became a mainstay in matchday 23 for the Guinness Six Nations, starting in four of Ireland’s five games and scoring a famous try against France in Paris.

Hansen believes the next three seasons will be an exciting time for the club: "Committing my future at Connacht was a no-brainer. Ever since I arrived in Ireland I cannot speak highly enough of the staff and my team-mates who have made me feel right at home.

"Personally I’m pleased with how my first season has gone and now I want to do everything I can to help the club achieve success for the next three seasons.

"The possibility of training and playing in Connacht Rugby’s new stadium and high performance centre was also a major attraction for me, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and for Connacht."

O’Halloran, meanwhile, has made over 200 appearances for his native province since making his debut as an 18-year-old in the 2009/10 European Challenge Cup. In that time he was a starter and try scorer in the 2016 PRO12 Grand Final, and has made six appearances for the Ireland national team.

The Clifden full-back is one of just five players to reach the 200 mark for the club, and he says he’s thrilled to have the opportunity to further that number: "Everyone knows what this club means to me so I’m really pleased to be able to enter my 14th season here. It’s been incredible to see the changes and the way the club has grown in that time, and I’m very fortunate to have played my part in that.

"I’m thankful to Connacht Rugby for giving me the opportunity to continue playing my rugby here and I’m excited by what we can achieve next season."

Elsewhere, Connacht Rugby last week confirmed the players who will depart the club at the end of the season. Ultan Dillane, Sammy Arnold, Abraham Papali’i and Tietie Tuimauga will leave the club at the end of their contracts to play in France, while Matt Healy has announced his retirement from professional rugby.

Centurion Eoghan Masterson will move on after a nine-year spell at the club, as will centre Peter Robb who featured in the 2016 PRO12 Grand Final.

Also leaving the club are Greg McGrath, Jonny Murphy, Ben O’Donnell, Dominic Robertson-McCoy and Peter Sullivan.

Head coach Andy Friend has paid tribute to the departing players. He said: "I’d like to thank all the players who have each contributed to Connacht Rugby in their own way. Comings and goings are part and parcel of professional rugby and I wish them every success in the future."

Connacht Rugby has also confirmed that thus far a 44-man squad has been assembled for the 2022/23 season.