RUGBY:LEINSTER ANNOUNCED three new signings yesterday but the most interesting development is their decision to release 21-year- old tighthead project Stewart Maguire to Connacht.
The Welsh-born prop leaves Dublin for Galway on a two-year deal, with Jamie Hagan moving the other way as he rejoins Leinster on a three-year contract.
Leinster have also confirmed Natal Sharks lock Steve Sykes (26) and Kiwi outhalf Matt Berquist (27), Dan Carter’s understudy at the Canterbury Crusaders, will arrive on three- and one-year deals respectively.
Berquist has the option of a second year but his acquisition is primarily to ensure an established goal-kicker is in place with Jonathan Sexton tied up with the World Cup this autumn.
Sykes, however, holds aspirations of qualifying for Ireland on residency grounds: “For me, I believe it is a good career and personal move – I want to play international rugby and it would be a fantastic honour to play for Ireland as well if it came about. Before any of that, though, I am really excited to play for Leinster.”
Leinster may be over-flowing with flankers but lock cover is less abundant, with no one adequately filling Malcolm O’Kelly’s boots. Ed O’Donoghue arrived from Ulster this season but has yet to make an impact, Trevor Hogan retired due to injury, while Nathan Hines leaves for Clermont in the summer and Leo Cullen is 33. Cullen will almost certainly be on World Cup duty.
Hagan’s homecoming, he hails from Balbriggan and was educated at Gormanston College, seems a direct result of Stan Wright’s imminent departure to Stade Français as Connacht had agreed to extend his contract.
Maguire is seen as a long-term project and a valuable commodity for Irish rugby in general. A huge specimen – at 6ft 5ins and 20 stone 6lbs – Leinster plucked him from the Dragons and Welsh underage system. He has represented Ireland Under-20s eight times while also continuing development in the AIL with Old Belvedere.
With Mike Ross, Hagan and Jack McGrath ahead of Maguire in the provincial queue, the presumption is Magners League exposure is what he now requires. He will contest the Connacht number three jersey with former New Zealander Under-20 Rodney Ah You.
Connacht are also awaiting confirmation from the IRB that two other signings from the Welsh underage ranks, Matthew Jarvis and James Loxton, can be considered Irish-qualified despite both representing Wales Under-20s against France.
IRB Regulation 8.3 (a) stipulates a player is ineligible to switch allegiance if he has played for the second-string team of a union, against the second-string team of another union. France consider their second string to be their under-20s while Welsh A fixtures were cancelled this season due to a failure to agree on payment.
Connacht asked the IRB to rule on the issue and it now seems that Jarvis and Loxton are poised to be deemed eligible for Ireland.
Meanwhile, Leinster and Munster are expected to field their best available sides for the top-of-the table clash at Thomond Park on Saturday (live on RTÉ, kick-off 7.30pm). Munster are currently 12 points clear but Leinster are going for six consecutive victories in the fixture.
