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Dillane confirms Connacht exit as rumours link him with Irish great

Ultan Dillane in action during a Connacht rugby squad training at The Sportsground in Galway. (Photo By Matt Browne/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Connacht’s Irish international second row Ultan Dillane has ended months of speculation by confirming he will leave the Galway Sportsground at the end of the season.

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And as-yet-unsubstantiated rumours suggest that the 28-year-old will join former Ireland no.10 Ronan O’Gara who now coaches at La Rochelle.

Connacht’s statement says only that he will join an “overseas club” with last season’s Heineken Champions Cup finalists and their Paris-based Top 14 rivals Racing both seemingly in the running to clinch Dillane’s signature.

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      Ronan O’Gara

      Current La Rochelle and soon to be Toulon fly half Ihaia West joins us to discuss the heartache of losing out in two finals last season, the criticism he received, learning lessons under Ronan O’Gara, the contrast in playing style with his head coach, how the move to Toulon came about and the prospect of a switch in nationality after the change in World Rugby’s eligibility laws. Plus, we round up all of the Champions Cup action, look ahead to Round 2 and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
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      Having played 19 times for his country since his 2016 debut, should the French-born lock make the move across the Channel the cap he won against Japan in the summer will be his last for a while.

      The lock has made 122 appearances for Connacht to date, winning his first senior cap back in December 2014 having come through the province’s academy system.

      “This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but ultimately I feel that the time has come for me to experience a new challenge in my career,” Dillane said, in a statement.

      “I am forever grateful to all the coaches and wider staff at Connacht I’ve worked with these past 10 years. You have all helped make my dream of becoming a professional and international rugby player a reality.”

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      “I’ve also been fortunate to play alongside some incredible players both for Connacht and Ireland, and I have made some friends for life,” Dillane added.

      “The Connacht supporters are among the best in the world and I’d like to thank them for all the support they’ve given me too. The West of Ireland will always be a special place to me.

      “I will be giving absolutely everything to finish my time in Connacht on a high, and help all of us to go on to have a really successful season. This is a team on the up and I’ll forever be a Connacht Rugby supporter.”

      The rumour connecting Dillane with La Rochelle was given added substance when the Aquitaine-based club announced the sudden retirement of French international back-five forward Kevin Gourdon who had recently signed a new two-year deal.

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      According to their announcement Gourdon has abruptly called time on his playing career at the age of 31 following the discovery of a heart problem.

      “It’s brutal and sad news, but my health is a priority,” Gourdon told the club’s website.

      “Unfortunately it’s something we can’t control, I’m not in a position to do anything to make the situation different, so I have no regrets.”

      Gourdon joined La Rochelle from Clermont in 2012 and played 221 games for the club as it went from the second division to last season’s Champions Cup final. He also played 19 times for France.

       

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      S
      Soliloquin 1 hour ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

      His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

      But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

      And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


      I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

      For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

      But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


      As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

      Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


      And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

      So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

      France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

      235 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 1 hour ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

      But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

      He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

      Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

      He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

      He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


      I really hope that:

      -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

      -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

      -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

      235 Go to comments
      LONG READ
      LONG READ Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France