Three Academy players sign pro contracts

Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce that three Connacht Academy players - Fiachna Barrett, Seán Naughton and Matthew Victory - have signed their first professional contracts for the 2026/27 season.

A native of Geesala Co.Mayo, Barrett is a powerful tighthead prop who has gained significant exposure to the Pro environment in the past 18 months. He made his senior debut against Zebre in December 2024 in the Challenge Cup, and this season has added to that appearance with a further 6 games off the bench.

Naughton also made his debut in that same game, and is another Year 3 Academy player who has greatly impressed among the Pro ranks. He featured in Connacht’s opening six games of the season, scoring two tries from full-back while also providing depth at out-half.

22-year old hooker Victory joined the Connacht Academy in 2023 and has impressed across his three years in the pathway system. He made his senior debut off the bench in the EPCR Challenge Cup game against Montpellier earlier this month.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says:
“I’m a firm believer in integration between the Professional and Academy setups, and in Fiachna, Seán and Matthew we have three players who are richly deserving of joining the senior setup from next season. There’s a huge amount of potential in Connacht’s younger players and the three lads in particular have always impressed in training and never looked out of place in the wider senior squad. I know they’ll have benefited hugely from their exposure to some matchday squads in this campaign, and that will stand to them when they take the next step next season.”

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