Signing of back row Wotton is a timely boost for the Connacht camp
WITH a return to competitive rugby in sight, Connacht have been handed a timely boost with the arrival of Alex Wotton to the Sportsground.
The back row comes from Munster on a loan deal until the end of the 2020-21 season. Wootton made his Munster debut in September 2016 and has gone on to make 39 appearances for the province, scoring 13 tries in the process.
The 25-year old can play anywhere across the back three and has been capped for Ireland at Sevens and U20 level. Wootton linked up with the Connacht squad last week for pre-season training as preparations continue for the planned PRO14 inter-pro derbies at the end of August.
Commenting on their new recruit, Head Coach Andy Friend says Wootton’s arrival will further strengthen Connacht’s back-field options for the new season.
“I am pleased to welcome Alex Wootton to the province. Alex is an exciting back three player who has all the talent to take his game to the next level. His versatility across the back row will also help us as we look to compete on both fronts (PRO14 and Europe) next season.”
Wotton is also in positive mood about his new venture. “I am delighted to be joining Connacht for the upcoming season. After speaking to Andy and the rest of the coaching team, it’s clear that this is a unit full of ambition and belief, and I want to play my part in that.”
As a dozen players have exited the Connacht set up over recent weeks, Wotton’s acquisitation will help to plug some of those gaps, along with the recent signings of his Munster colleagues Sammy Arnold and Conor Oliver, together with Leinster pair Jack Aungier and Oisin Dowling, last month.
Among the 12 players who have departed Connacht are three heroes of the province’s momentous 2016 PRO12 campaign in Niyi Adeolokun, Eoin McKeon and Tom McCartney.
It had been known that New Zealand native and hooker McCartney was planning to retire, but the exits of winger Adeolokun and back row McKeon did come as a surprise.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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