Cian Kelleher will be in ‘shop window’ at Connacht

Coach Pat Lam believes Connacht will provide new signing Cian Kelleher with the shop window he needs to realise his ambitions.

Although Leinster are understood to be unhappy that Kelleher has turned down a development contract to join the province on a two-year deal, Lam said there was no poaching in his recruitment to the west.

“We were notified by his agent that he was available and keen, so the beauty is – and what we are really happy about – is that we have a player who has ambitions to play for his country and has realised that in the past two years he hasn’t been in the shop window,” says Lam.

“Now he is coming here to have an opportunity to fight hard and play a brand of rugby that suits what he does to get on the stage and achieve his goals.”

Lam has kept an eye on the fullback since first seeing him play two seasons ago and is surprised he has not been playing for Leinster on a more regular basis.

“What I am really excited by is there is a player who I saw two years ago and I thought ‘wow’. But he was with the Leinster Academy, and I like to look at the all the talent that’s coming through, but probably what surprised me more is that I haven’t seen him involved,” Lam said. “Then I saw him play for Leinster against Zebre, an unbelievable try from 50m, and I thought great, but I haven’t seen him again.”

Opportunity

Lam likened the move to the situation in New Zealand where Super Rugby teams boast players from all over the country.

“They are players who want to be playing for the All Blacks, and now we have a similar thing here: a young player who wants to play for Ireland who realises, ‘I’ve got to get in the shop window; there is no point me playing for club and not getting enough opportunity’.”

Kelleher will join former Lansdowne team mate Matt Healy who has been cleared fit to play in Saturday’s Pro 12 shoot-out with Glasgow for the chance of a home semi-final.

Also available is Bundee Aki, who has recovered from his knee injury, but both props Denis Buckley and Nathan White are still unavailable, as is Danie Poolman, while Craig Ronaldson will join the squad later this week.

Lam says Aki’s return is a big boost for Connacht ahead of this huge challenge against the league leaders and current champions.

“He’s been jumping off the walls and ready to go. He’s a tough character. He was even trying to get to Treviso even though he couldn’t train, so it’s exciting for him. Everyone wants to be playing this weekend, so its a good boost.”