Heenan signs for Connacht

Incoming Connacht head coach Pat Lam is beginning to stamp his authority on the squad, with the province today confirming the acquisition of 20-year-old New Zealander Jake Heenan.

Heenan, and openside flanker formerly of Auckland, has agreed a three year deal with Connacht.

Heenan’s arrival will strengthen the southern hemisphere flavour to Connacht next season, with New Zealander Lam at the helm, and fellow Kiwi Craig Clarke also en route to the Sportsground.

The young back rower captained the New Zealand Under-20's when they finished runners-up to South Africa in the 2012 Junior World Championship last summer.

Hennan, a Whangarei Boys' High School First XV captain, went on to sign for Auckland and was a member of the Blues development programme.

Lam spoke about the young forward he spotted at an early age: "I came across Jake when he was 17 years old. He played for the Blues Under-18 team when they won the National competition and, even then, I could see what a natural leader and genuine team player he was.

"He brought those leadership skills, as well as his physicality, to the U20 World Championship last summer with the Baby Blacks.

"Jake is highly regarded back in New Zealand and it is a real coup for Connacht to catch him.

“I'm very much looking forward to working with him when he arrives here in early July."