Connacht prop Brett Wilkinson has signed a two-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the Sportsground at least until the summer of 2009.

Wilkinson has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract less than six months into his first professional contract.

The South African is in his first year as a professional but Connacht coach Michael Bradley has been so impressed by him that he has extended the contract of the 23-year-old.

Wilkinson, who joined Connacht during the summer after turning down the chance of Currie Cup rugby with Western Province, has made a big impact at the Sportsground.

Wilkinson has featured in fifteen of Connacht's sixteen games this season and has been rewarded with a contract extension.

"We have been very pleased with Brett's performances since he came here and are delighted to have reached agreement on a contract extension," said Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly.