Our own Harry West and Fiachna Barrett have been selected for this season's Connacht Rugby Academy. The two U20 Grand-Slam winners are part of a 15-player squad of exciting young men assembled in The Sportsground.
Fiachna is one of five Year 1 additions, alongside another Irish U20 James Nicholson.
Also joining the Year 1 ranks are centre Finn Treacy, hooker Matthew Victory and out-half Sean Naughton.
Harry moves up to Year 2 alongside two Irish colleagues Hugh Gavin from Salthill and John Devine from Ballinasloe.
Joining them in Year 2 are Chay Mullins, Daniel Hawkshaw, Matthew Devine, Oisin Michel and Shane Mallon.
Completing the squad so far are Year 3 players, prop Charlie Ward and winger Josh O’Connor.

Further players may be added as the season progresses.

Eric Elwood Connacht Rugby academy manager said:
“On behalf of Connacht Rugby I would like to congratulate and welcome our new Year 1 academy players.
“We are all very much looking forward to working with them and I have no doubt they will add great value to the group.”

CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY SQUAD 2023/24:
YEAR 1
Fiachna Barrett – Prop
Finn Treacy – Centre
James Nicholson – Back Three
Sean Naughton – Out-Half
Matthew Victory - Hooker
YEAR 2
Chay Mullins – Back Three
Matthew Devine - Scrum-Half
John Devine - Centre
Daniel Hawkshaw - Centre
Shane Mallon - Centre
Oisin Michel - Prop
Harry West - Out-Half
Hugh Gavin - Centre
YEAR 3
Josh O’Connor – Back Three
Charlie Ward - Prop