Ireland international Sammy Arnold to exit Connacht for Top 14

Connacht centre Sammy Arnold will leave the province at the end of the season and head to France, it has been confirmed.

Arnold - who won a solidarity Ireland cap in 2018 - joined Connacht from Munster last year and quickly became a regular feature in the Galway side's midfield.

Born in Surrey, the 6ft, 102kg centre joins French outfit Brive on a three-year deal.

A statement reads: "Connacht Rugby can confirm centre Sammy Arnold will join French side Brive following the conclusion of the current season.

"Arnold joined the club in the summer of 2020 and has made 21 appearances for the province.

"Everyone at Connacht Rugby thanks Sammy for his professionalism and dedication, and wishes him every success when he moves on to his new club next summer."

Arnold will join former Ireland and British and Irish Lions second row Jeremy Davidson, head coach at Brive. Davidson said of the centre: "Sam Arnold is a versatile young three-quarterback who has a very high level of technical background. He is also very aggressive in attack and defense. On the cusp of the Irish team for several years, he will be involved in the Brive project for three years."

Arnold made 44 appearances for Munster after joining the province from Ulster in 2016, scoring eight tries in the process. He had been named both Ulster Academy Player of the Year and Munster Young Player of the Year, and made his International debut against USA in the 2018 Autumn Internationals.

He will join former Ulster teammate Stuart Olding at the French side.