CONNACHT HAVE ANNOUNCED that academy players Rory Parata, James Connolly and Shane Delahunt will all move onto senior contracts with the province next season.
All three youngsters have impressed under Pat Lam during the current campaign.
22-year-old Connolly recently made his Guinness Pro12 debut at openside during Connacht’s historic win over Munster at Thomond Park, while also starting against Cardiff last weekend.
The Kildare man, who was educated in Newbridge College and played U19 and U20 rugby for Connacht, has also featured in the province’s European campaigns this season and last season.
Parata, 21, has started six games for Connacht so far this season, scoring two tries from the wing in the Challenge Cup. The performances of the former Rockwell College man in the centre have also been impressive.
Parata was born in Australia to a Kiwi father and a mother from Cork, to where the family moved when he was nine years of age. An Ireland U19 representative, Parata played for Connacht at the same age grade and at U20 level.
Hooker Delahunt made eight appearances for Connacht last season and has added a further four so far in the current campaign. The Offaly man is a former student and captain of Kilkenny College and played for Ireland at U20 level.
Now 21, Delahunt has impressed with his rounded skill level and aggression in the front row. He started the recent victory against Munster in the number two shirt.
The progression of Parata, Delahunt and Connolly onto senior contracts is the latest stamp of approval for the work of Nigel Carolan as Connacht’s academy manager, with a large number of their current squad having been developed under his tutelage.
“James, Shane and Rory were all capped last season and, this year, were part of the academy group of players that trained with us since pre-season,” said Connacht head coach Lam.
“What impressed me most about these young men is their ambition to succeed, their willingness to learn and to work hard to improve themselves.
“The amount of young, Irish talent coming through in Connacht is very exciting. As a coach, I’m delighted to be working with these players who I believe have the ability to contribute massively to Connacht and Irish rugby.”
