Connacht have announced that Leinster academy prop Stewart Maguire will arrive at the Sportsground at the end of the current campaign.
Despite being born in Bristol and educated in Newport, Maguire starred for Ireland in last year's Under-20s World Cup in Argentina. However, he has struggled to break into the Leinster first team and is now hoping to make the grade out west.
"I am delighted as well as excited to be joining Connacht this summer on a two-year deal," he said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years at Leinster, where the coaching staff have improved my fitness and level of play enormously, and helped me to be an important part of Ireland U20 side last season.
"However, I feel that I now need exposure to regular rugby at a higher level, and Connacht's coaching staff convinced me that I can have a big role to play in their match day squad next season".
Connacht assistant coach Dan McFarland is in no doubt that Maguire has the ability to make a big impact with the Westerners next season.
"We're really looking forward to working with Stewart, he has good potential as a scrummager and is a dynamic ball carrier, having played well for the Ireland U20s last season," he said. "He has not been able to get senior game time at Leinster and is coming here with a real point to prove. We believe we can offer him the best possible opportunity to showcase his talents. We are confident he will fit comfortably into our set-up as we build our squad for next season
