NEW CONNACHT OUT-HALF Andrew Deegan says he has settled in well and is looking for a place in Kieran Keane’s plans in the coming weeks.
Connacht clash with Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground tomorrow, but that game could come too soon for the former Waratah, who only joined in on full training last week.
The 2015-16 league champions are looking to stay third and in the play-off positions in Conference A of the PRO14 when they host the Welsh in Galway.
Keane’s side have only beaten the Blues five times at home in the league but they did the double over them last season.
And Sydney native Deegan (22), who has not played for Connacht since his arrival on September 5, is determined to challenge Jack Carty and Steve Crosbie for the No 10 jersey now.
“My first impression is that the Sportsground is unreal. It’s obviously a bit of a smaller crowd than back home. But they are packed in really tight and it gets really loud before kick-off,” said Deegan.
“I am becoming accustomed to the differences between here and Australia and building my way into it here in Connacht.
“I am excited by the change and I am really looking forward to this season and hopefully getting game-time under my belt.”
The former Australia U-20 star was brought in as a direct replacement for marquee Springbok signing Marnitz Boshoff.
Former Lions out-half, Boshoff, was released on compassionate grounds, after just one season and four appearances for Pat Lam’s side in 2016-17.
Deegan will be hoping to make a much bigger impression and says he has found his feet already in Galway.
“I moved over here on the Tuesday at the start of September and was straight into the house with Jarrad Butler and Rory Scholes,” said Deegan.
“They have been very accommodating so far. Everybody around town and around the Sportsground have been very welcoming so it’s been a great start.”
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