With second row Mike McCarthy moving to Leinster at the end of the season, Connacht have secured a high profile replacement in the shape of current Chiefs captain Craig Clarke who has signed a three-year deal with the western province.

Connacht have announced the signing of lock Aly Muldowney on a three-year contract from Aviva Premiership club Exeter.

Munster hooker Sean Henry will be returning to his native Connacht after the current season after signing a two-year contract with the province.

Former Connacht favourite Fionn Carr will return to the Sportsground at the beginning of the 2013/14 season after a two-year stint with provincial rivals Leinster.

Connacht 25 Zebre 20

Irish lock Mike McCarthy said the decision to leave Connacht and join Leinster was one of the hardest he has had to make in his rugby career.

Connacht have announced that Pat Lam will replace Eric Elwood as their coach.

Heineken Cup Pool 3: Harlequins V Connacht

New Zealander Pat Lam is expected to be unveiled as Connacht’s new head coach this week.

Connacht Rugby has today confirmed the contract extensions for George Naoupu, Jason Harris-Wright, Mick Kearney and Eoin McKeon.

Connacht chief executive Tom Sears has hit out at those who have breached the confidentiality of the process of choosing a successor to Eric Elwood the province’s chief executive Tom Sears.

Ulster’s Heineken Cup ambitions have been handed a timely boost with the news that captain Johann Muller may well be fit in time to feature in their round six tie against Castres in France.

THERE is a famous picture hanging in the headquarters of the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

Former Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan has lashed out at the IRFU and Connacht for not giving him a chance to take over from Eric Elwood.

Biarritz Olympique 17 Connacht 0

The IRFU last night confirmed Leinster coach Joe Schmidt’s assertion that the province followed all the correct protocols in its bid to secure the services of Connacht lock Mike McCarthy.

Connacht full-back Robbie Henshaw has signed a full two-year contract with the province which will keep the 19-year-old at the club until 2015.

Connacht officials have launched a blistering attack on Leinster Rugby chiefs over their pursuit of Irish international Mike McCarthy.

Mike McCarthy will leave Connacht at the end of the current season.

Connacht have launched a drive to hold on to Ireland second-row Mike McCarthy after it emerged Leinster are keen to sign him.

Connacht Rugby have strengthened their long term front row options with the news that prop Denis Buckley has signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2015.

LISTEN to Connacht’s new chief executive for a while and it becomes perfectly clear that reaching the Heineken Cup was not the pinnacle of the westerners’ ambitions but the base camp.

Eric Elwood’s all-consuming passion for Connacht and rugby became a huge factor in his decision to step down as head coach at the end of the season.

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has confirmed his decision not to seek a renewal of his contract, which expires at the end of the season, was entirely his own and not influenced by external pressure.

Eric Elwood will today confirm his decision to step down as Connacht head coach at the end of the