Lancaster vows Connacht tried to keep matchwinner Devine

The 24-year-old came on in the final quarter against Ospreys

ON THE MOVE: Matthew Devine of Connacht takes a selfie with a fan after the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Ospreys at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Stuart Lancaster insists he did everything he could to keep Matthew Devine at Connacht but that ultimately it was the player’s decision to join Ulster in the summer on a one-year deal.

Devine, a product of Ballinasloe RFC, Garbally College and the Connacht academy, showed everyone what he is capable of when he came off the bench against Ospreys on Saturday and was the key figure in Connacht fashioning a 21-14 win which keeps them in contention for a knockout place in the URC and a return to the Champions Cup next season.