Humphreys backs Ioane to succeed at Connacht amid failure to secure Leinster playmaker

Ioane, 28, will join from the Chiefs his new head coach Pete Wilkins hailing the arrival of a player with Super Rugby experience and an “excellent skill set”.

NEW BOY: Josh Ioane catches the ball during a Chiefs Super Rugby training session

IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys has backed Connacht’s signing of All Blacks-capped fly-half Josh Ioane for 2024-25 after the western province failed to secure a season-long loan deal for a playmaker from Leinster.

Connacht landed New Zealander Ioane for next season to bolster their playmaking options following JJ Hanrahan’s serious knee injury.