Duffy and Parks exit as Connacht release eight

Connacht last night announced they will release eight players from their squad at the end of the season — the biggest shock being the exit of Gavin Duffy.

Dan Parks, the veteran Scottish international, joins Duffy, Frank Murphy and Paul O’Donohue in the clear-out, along with younger players Aaron Coneely, Brian Murphy, Dave Nolan and James Rael.

There will be shockwaves in the west about Duffy’s failure to win another contract, and yesterday team manager Tim Allnutt paid particular tribute to him.