Connacht bolster squad as they hand senior contracts to academy trio

Connacht have swooped to secure the signings of three of their talented youngsters, open side James Connolly, hooker Shane Delahunt and centre Rory Parata.

The trio have been promoted from the Connacht Academy and handed their first senior contracts for next season ahead of tomorrow’s European Challenge Cup fixture with Newcastle.

Making his Pro12 debut against Munster, James Connolly has made an immediate impression since stepping into the boots of the injured Nepia Fox-Matamua and Jake Heenan, and what better result than a victory over Munster in Thomond Park.