Connacht Rugby confirm 12 players leaving at season’s end

Connacht Rugby has confirmed the twelve players who will be departing the clubs at the end of this season.

A number of these have been known for some time. Ultan Dillane, Sammy Arnold, Abraham Papali’i and Tietie Tuimauga will leave the club at the end of their contracts to play in France.

All-time top try scorer for the province Matt Healy also announced last week that he is retiring from professional rugby at the end of the season.

Centurion Eoghan Masterson will move on after a 9-year spell at the club, as does centre Peter Robb who featured in the 2016 PRO12 Grand Final.

Also leaving the club are Greg McGrath, Jonny Murphy, Ben O’Donnell, Dominic Robertson-McCoy and Peter Sullivan.

Head Coach Andy Friend has paid tribute to the departing players “I’d like to thank all the players who have each contributed to Connacht Rugby in their own way.”

“Comings and goings are part and parcel of professional rugby and I wish them every success in the future.”

“As is tradition we will thank them in front of our supporters at the end of our final game of the season against Zebre.”

Connacht Rugby have also confirmed that a 44 man squad has been finalised for the 2022/23 season.