Four contract extensions agreed for Connacht Rugby

Posted on Jan 10, 2013 in Connacht

Connacht Rugby have confirmed the contract extensions of four players: George Naoupu, Jason Harris-Wright, Mick Kearney and Eoin McKeon have all signed contract extensions that keep them at the club until at least the end of 2014/15 season.

George Naoupu’s contract extension is a huge boost to the club and the forward pack. New Zealand born Naoupu arrived at the Sportsground at the start of the 2009/10 season, having come from Super 14 side The Highlanders. He made an everlasting impression with Connacht fans when his second-half try sealed victory over Bourgoin to send the Irish side through to the 2009 Amlin Cup semi-final. The 6’5, 112kg versatile forward then moved to the Kobe Steelers in Japan where he spent one season before returning to Connacht for a further two years.

With 44 Connacht caps, 30-year-old Naoupu has played in 12 games this season, and registered tries against Zebre, Leinster and the Dragons. Director of Rugby, Eric Elwood has spoken about the big forward citing his trademark physicality and ball carrying abilities:

"George is a strong and natural leader in our team. He is a phenomenal ball carrier and shows an exceptionally high work rate game after game. His has a brilliant ability to switch from back row to lock seamlessly."

Naoupu was awarded the Player of the Month award for September 2012. His two year contract has been offered with the option to extend to a third year.

Young forwards Jason Harris-Wright, Mike Kearney and Eoin McKeon have also committed their immediate future to Connacht, each signing two year extensions.

Harris-Wright joined Connacht last summer on a one-year deal. The 24-year-old was part of the Ireland U20 World Championship team and featured in all bar one of Ireland U20′s RBS 6Nations matches the same year.

The young hooker is a product of the Leinster Academy and played four Heineken Cup matches with the province, including the 2011 final victory over Northampton Saints.

Since joining Connacht, he has readily competed for the number two spot. He has made a notable impression this season, notching up 12 senior caps andhas been quick to establish himself as a key component in the Connacht pack.

Second row Mick Kearney has also put pen to paper on a two year deal. The 6’5, 21-year-old from Dublin who has represented Ireland at U18, U20 and Colleges level, has 22 caps for Connacht. He earned his first Heineken Cup start this season in the 22-14 win over French side Biarritz. His imposing and physical performance merited another start in the return trip to France.

Galway-born Eoin McKeon will remain at his native province until at least the end of the 2014/2015 season. The 21-year-old is a graduate of the Connacht Academy and has represented Ireland at U18, U19 and U20 level. He made his RaboDirect PRO12 debut three seasons ago against Scarlets and made the step up to Heineken Cup last season. He has started in the pivotal number 8 position on ten occasions this season, including the two European fixtures against Biarritz. He is comfortable playing across the back row and his agility and athletic ball carrying ability comes to the fore game after game. His consistent performances this season have earned him the Connacht Player of the Month award for December.

Speaking about the new signing and contract extensions, CEO Tom Sears said:

"The retention of key players such as George, Jason, Mick and Eoin is another clear indication that we intend to retain our best players and continue to build for a successful future. The fact that all of the four have committed to Connacht in the face of strong interest from elsewhere is a demonstration of both the progress they have made as players and the progress we are making as a province.

"Our squad for next season and beyond is developing very well, we are actively looking to bring in the best players we possibly can and we are confident that more of our current players will commit and we will be able to bring in some high quality signings for next year."

London Welsh confirm further re-signings

Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Welsh

Adam Brown (pictured), Dan George, Ashley Smith and Billy Moss are the latest players to pledge their futures to London Welsh.

Player’s Player of the Year Brown, 24, has enjoyed a fantastic first season at the club, after joining from Newport Gwent Dragons last summer.

A Wales U19 Grand Slam winner in 2006, Brown has been ever present in the Exiles’ second row this season, making 28 appearances in all competitions. His debut try for the club came in the play-off win over Nottingham at Old Deer Park.

“I’ve played a lot of rugby this year and Lyn [Jones – head coach] has worked hard with me to improve my game,” said Brown.

“Hopefully I can continue that through to next year and keep developing and learning and getting better as a rugby player.

“As a young front five forward you need to be playing to improve and I feel I’ve contributed something to the team.

“Winning the Player’s Player of the Year award does mean a lot as the boys have voted for it, but it won’t mean half as much as getting to a Championship final.”

George is in his second spell at London Welsh. The hooker originally arrived at Old Deer Park in 2008 and helped the club reach a Championship semi-final in 2010.

A product of the Scarlets’ Academy, he left the club at the end of that season to join Principality Premiership side Carmarthen Quins, only to return in early 2011.

George, 25, captained Wales U19s during the IRB World Championships in South Africa in 2005, and the following year played in the IRB U21 World Championships in France

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London Welsh’s George poised to reach half century milestone

Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in Championship, English Rugby, London Welsh

A quick glance down Dan George’s player profile on the London Welsh website will tell you that the hooker is still waiting to experience his ‘best moment’ at the club.

No frivolous or obvious answers along the lines of his debut, his first try or the away trip when he didn’t have to room with Mike Powell will do for the hooker, who is clearly holding out for something bigger.

Saturday, however, could change all that, as George prepares to make his 50th League appearance for the club against Leeds Carnegie at Old Deer Park.

“I’ve had some good moments and some good memories, but I think there’s more to offer at the club. I think my best London Welsh moment is still to come,” said George.

“I’d love to be at the club for as long as I can – I enjoy playing for London Welsh. It’s a great environment to be in, the supporters are brilliant and I do see a future at the club.

“The Championship is getting stronger but if London Welsh can get promoted, and I can stay with the club through that promotion, and be competitive in the Premiership that would be the perfect situation.”

A Welsh win on Saturday, and perhaps even a try for George on his milestone appearance, coupled with a victory for Wales over England at Twickenham later that day, would certainly be a memorable way to mark George’s 50th league appearance for the club.

In his second spell at Old Deer Park, George originally joined the club in 2008 just as the Exiles went full-time professional, only to return in early 2011, having spent six months playing semi-pro for Carmarthen Quins while studying Criminology at Swansea University. George concedes that coming back was a slightly odd experience.

“All of a sudden an offer’s put on a plate and it all fits in with my university, and you’re alliances have to change and you’re fighting the cause for another team,” he said.

“It was strange more than awkward, especially going straight back into professionalism after being semi-professional.”

With six months of his degree still remaining, however, the one stipulation of his return to Welsh was for George to be released one day a week to travel to back Wales to complete his studies.

He would also find himself running out for Swansea University in the Varsity Match against Cardiff University at the Millennium Stadium. Playing number eight, George scored a try to help Swansea to victory.

Cramp would bring his afternoon to an end five minutes before the final whistle, where upon he was replaced by his brother Greg.
“It was nice to enjoy no pressure rugby and to play with Greg. To play in the Varsity Match in front of 15,000 drunk students, the noise was unbelievable and it was such a great atmosphere,” said George, who has no intention of challenging for the number eight jersey at Welsh.

“I was just enjoying it – it was a chance to run around. Not many of the boys are professional, so they put you in the positions that have the most influence on the game. It was just a chance to go out and enjoy myself and play a bit of rugby.”

Despite that interlude in his London Welsh career, George has seen many changes at the club since he first arrived, both on the field and off it.

“It’s changed so much – it’s unbelievable. We’d train very hard but there was a gang of about 20 of us – early twenties, late teens – and there was a very good social aspect to it,” he said.

“We had a good bunch of young guys from everywhere – Gavin O’Meara from Ireland, Peter Murchie from Scotland, and a few Welsh boys.

“It was a load of young talented rugby players all living in London, so it was easy to fit in and it was a good Craic.

“Four years on, the majority of the boys who were there are now either married or engaged, and I’m getting married in June.

“It’s gone from being a club with a lot of youngsters to having a more mature feel to it – the club has developed.”
As for head coaches, George has played under them all in that time – Martin Jones, Danny Wilson, Phil Greening and now Lyn Jones. For George, they’ve all brought something different to the table, but one aspect of the club has always remained the same.

“Each coach has had their own take on rugby and how the game should be played, but ultimately they’ve all played an open expansive flowing style of rugby, which fits very well with the London Welsh ethos,” said George.

“No matter who’s been at the helm, we’ve always played good rugby and attractive rugby – we’ve thrown it around about it.

“I think that’s what Lyn’s done well this year; he’s taken what we’ve done well but added that little bit of force up front.”

Closer inspection of George’s profile on the club website will reveal a definite zero in the try scoring column for this season – Saturday wouldn’t be a bad time to put that right.