Murray and Illo sign new deals with Connacht

Brideswell native Niall Murray and Sam Illo have become the latest players to sign new deals with Connacht Rugby.

Both players have agreed a two-year contract extension, keeping them at Dexcom Stadium until at least 2027.

Murray came through the ranks at Buccaneers RFC and the Connacht Academy, before making his debut in the Champions Cup tie against Gloucester in December 2019. He was previously part of the Ireland U20 squad that won the Grand Slam in 2019.

Niall, whose younger brother Darragh is also a Connacht player, was named in the 'URC Dream Team' for the 2022/23 season, in light of his brilliant performances that season. In total, the lock has made 81 appearances for Connacht.

Sam Illo, who has also played for Buccaneers, joined Connacht from Leinster in 2022, where he came through the Academy setup there and was capped for the Ireland U20s during the 2021 Six Nations.

Like Murray, Illo also made his debut in the Champions Cup, coming off the bench against Stade Francais in Paris in January 2023. The prop has played 26 times for the province so far.

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins said: "Niall and Sam are two important members of the squad in two key positions. Niall continues to excel as a lineout operator and as a Connacht man through and through, I know he'll be keen to bring success to his home province in the years ahead. Sam meanwhile has great potential which has developed since his arrival three years ago. All of us in the coaching team look forward to seeing that continuing growth into the future."