Matthew Byrne signed up to Connacht Academy

Nigel Carolan has added Dublin-born back Matthew Byrne to the Connacht Academy ahead of the start of the 2016/17 season.

The 20-year-old, who joined up with the Academy squad this month, made eight appearances with the Ireland U20’s side in 2016.  In June’s World Rugby U20 Championship, the former Terenure College schoolboy started on the wing in four of the five games, culminating in the side’s first ever final which they lost to England U20’s.

The addition of Matt Byrne brings the number of players in the Connacht Academy to 20.

Full list of Connacht Academy 2016/17

YEAR 3

Jamie Dever                       Prop
Jack Dinneen                     Hooker
Ciaran Gaffney                   Back Three
Marc Kelly                          Back Row
Conor McKeon                   Scrumhalf
Saba Meunargia                Prop

YEAR 2

Cormac Brennan              Back Three
Conor Kyne                       Prop
Conor Lowndes                Scrum Half
Stephen McVeigh             Back Row
Conan O’Donnell              Prop
Ed O’Keeffe                      Back Three
Pat O’Toole                       Hooker
Cian Romaine                   Lock

YEAR 1

Matthew Byrne                  Back Three
Peter Claffey                     Lock
Cillian Gallagher               Lock
Conor Kenny                     Prop
Stephen Kerins                 Scrumhalf
Adam Leavy                      Wing