The UAFC

Connacht Rugby and Dexcom Inc. are today delighted to announce a historic naming rights partnership for The Sportsground, ahead of the commencement of the next phase of the stadium redevelopment in March.

As part of a 12-year agreement between the two organisations, The Sportsground will become known as ‘Dexcom Stadium’ effective immediately. This announcement comes on the day Dexcom break ground on their major manufacturing facility in Athenry – their first in Europe - with the creation of over 1000 jobs for the province.

Connacht Rugby are also excited to announce that construction on our new High-Performance Centre (HPC) and North Stand will both begin in the coming months. Works on the HPC will begin in March with works on the North Stand following at the end of this current season.

The new Connacht Rugby HPC is expected to be completed by March 2025 and will provide all Connacht Rugby representative teams with world-class facilities to enable them to fulfil their potential and perform at the highest level.

The new North Stand will then replace the existing Clan Terrace and will feature state-of-the-art facilities for all match attendees including our supporters, partners, players, officials, media and volunteers. Construction will begin this summer after the demolition of the Clan Terrace and Clubhouse, and is expected to be completed during the 2025/26 season.

Dexcom Stadium will therefore operate at a reduced capacity for the 2024/25 season, with further information to follow for Season Tickets holders in the coming weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEof2CB9mg0

Treviso sign Lynagh from Quins for the next couple of years.

justinr73 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:38 pm Treviso sign Lynagh from Quins for the next couple of years.

Also strongly linked with ex Munster 15 Matt Gallagher who is currently at Bath. Both him and Lynagh are Italian Qualified.

The appointments for the United Rugby Championship fixtures in Round 10 have been confirmed and are available below.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Scarlets v Munster
Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Ian Kenny (SRU, 2nd league game)
AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU) AR 2: Tom Spurrier (WRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Zebre Parma v Edinburgh Rugby
Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 97th league game)
AR 1: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) AR 2: Manuel Bottino (FIR)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Emirates Lions v Vodacom Bulls
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – KO 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA
Referee: AJ Jacobs (SARU, 17th league game)
AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Dylan November (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Leinster v Benetton
RDS Arena, Dublin – KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 11th league game)
AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) AR 2: Tomas O’Sullivan (IRFU)
TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)

Hollywoodbets Sharks v DHL Stormers
Hollywoodbets Stadium, Durban – KO 15.05 IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 7th league game)
AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
TMO: Ben Crous (SARU)

Cardiff Rugby v Connacht
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 40th league game)
AR 1: Craig Evans (WRU) AR 2: Gwyn Morris (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)

Glasgow Warriors v Dragons RFC
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 92nd league game)
AR 1: Jonny Perriam (SRU) AR 2: Michael Todd (SRU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Munster have signed the winger Kilgallen from Connacht on a 2 year deal.

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:45 pm Munster have signed the winger Kilgallen from Connacht on a 2 year deal.

Rumoured to be signing Connacht's Tom Daly as well. Shameful how they are allowed to pick off squad members from other provinces by offering them more money. Kilgallen was born in Kildare.
Soon there will be more Leinster players on Munster team than from their own province.

Jetstream wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:36 pm

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:45 pm Munster have signed the winger Kilgallen from Connacht on a 2 year deal.

Rumoured to be signing Connacht's Tom Daly as well. Shameful how they are allowed to pick off squad members from other provinces by offering them more money. Kilgallen was born in Kildare.
Soon there will be more Leinster players on Munster team than from their own province.

Provinces aren't allowed to outbid each other. Munster could match what Connacht offered etc then it is the choice of the player.

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:55 pm

Jetstream wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:36 pm

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:45 pm Munster have signed the winger Kilgallen from Connacht on a 2 year deal.

Rumoured to be signing Connacht's Tom Daly as well. Shameful how they are allowed to pick off squad members from other provinces by offering them more money. Kilgallen was born in Kildare.
Soon there will be more Leinster players on Munster team than from their own province.

Provinces aren't allowed to outbid each other. Munster could match what Connacht offered etc then it is the choice of the player.

I just don't understand why a player like Kilgallen who is getting regular rugby with Connacht, would switch to Munster for the same money. He will be a bit player at Munster. There has to be sweeteners.

Jetstream wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:07 am

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:55 pm

Jetstream wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:36 pm

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:45 pm Munster have signed the winger Kilgallen from Connacht on a 2 year deal.

Rumoured to be signing Connacht's Tom Daly as well. Shameful how they are allowed to pick off squad members from other provinces by offering them more money. Kilgallen was born in Kildare.
Soon there will be more Leinster players on Munster team than from their own province.

Provinces aren't allowed to outbid each other. Munster could match what Connacht offered etc then it is the choice of the player.

I just don't understand why a player like Kilgallen who is getting regular rugby with Connacht, would switch to Munster for the same money. He will be a bit player at Munster. There has to be sweeteners.

Well as I said provinces can't outbid each other, otherwise O'Sullivan might have already signed for Leinster. Munster did lose Earls after the World Cup and Zebo is no spring chicken, outside of that you have Calvin Nash who just got capped by Ireland and Shane Daly. Mike Haley there also, not massive back 3 depth.

Think I read somewhere that the fella’s lady friend is based in Cork.

Matt Gallagher confirmed at Benetton, 3 year deal. Italian qualified via a grandparent on his mother's side.

Follows Louis Lynagh who was confirmed this week.

Neill_M wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:45 am

Jetstream wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:07 am

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:55 pm

Jetstream wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:36 pm

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:45 pm Munster have signed the winger Kilgallen from Connacht on a 2 year deal.

Rumoured to be signing Connacht's Tom Daly as well. Shameful how they are allowed to pick off squad members from other provinces by offering them more money. Kilgallen was born in Kildare.
Soon there will be more Leinster players on Munster team than from their own province.

Provinces aren't allowed to outbid each other. Munster could match what Connacht offered etc then it is the choice of the player.

I just don't understand why a player like Kilgallen who is getting regular rugby with Connacht, would switch to Munster for the same money. He will be a bit player at Munster. There has to be sweeteners.

Well as I said provinces can't outbid each other, otherwise O'Sullivan might have already signed for Leinster. Munster did lose Earls after the World Cup and Zebo is no spring chicken, outside of that you have Calvin Nash who just got capped by Ireland and Shane Daly. Mike Haley there also, not massive back 3 depth.

Munster lost Conway to retirement too. They've a centre starting on the wing for them tonight, not the first time that's happened to them this season either.

Cormac wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:57 am

Neill_M wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:45 am

Jetstream wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:07 am

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:55 pm

Jetstream wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:36 pm

Rumoured to be signing Connacht's Tom Daly as well. Shameful how they are allowed to pick off squad members from other provinces by offering them more money. Kilgallen was born in Kildare.
Soon there will be more Leinster players on Munster team than from their own province.

Provinces aren't allowed to outbid each other. Munster could match what Connacht offered etc then it is the choice of the player.

I just don't understand why a player like Kilgallen who is getting regular rugby with Connacht, would switch to Munster for the same money. He will be a bit player at Munster. There has to be sweeteners.

Well as I said provinces can't outbid each other, otherwise O'Sullivan might have already signed for Leinster. Munster did lose Earls after the World Cup and Zebo is no spring chicken, outside of that you have Calvin Nash who just got capped by Ireland and Shane Daly. Mike Haley there also, not massive back 3 depth.

Munster lost Conway to retirement too. They've a centre starting on the wing for them tonight, not the first time that's happened to them this season either.

Good point, forgot about Conway, definite need for Munster to get a back three player.

Adam Hastings linked with a move back up to Scotland with Glasgow, currently at Gloucester.

Cormac wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:57 am

Neill_M wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:45 am

Jetstream wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:07 am

Neill_M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:55 pm

Jetstream wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:36 pm

Rumoured to be signing Connacht's Tom Daly as well. Shameful how they are allowed to pick off squad members from other provinces by offering them more money. Kilgallen was born in Kildare.
Soon there will be more Leinster players on Munster team than from their own province.

Provinces aren't allowed to outbid each other. Munster could match what Connacht offered etc then it is the choice of the player.

I just don't understand why a player like Kilgallen who is getting regular rugby with Connacht, would switch to Munster for the same money. He will be a bit player at Munster. There has to be sweeteners.

Well as I said provinces can't outbid each other, otherwise O'Sullivan might have already signed for Leinster. Munster did lose Earls after the World Cup and Zebo is no spring chicken, outside of that you have Calvin Nash who just got capped by Ireland and Shane Daly. Mike Haley there also, not massive back 3 depth.

Munster lost Conway to retirement too. They've a centre starting on the wing for them tonight, not the first time that's happened to them this season either.

We have a full back starting on the wing!