Connacht are set to confirm the repatriation of flanker Johnny O'Connor after a four-year absence. The Irish international seems set to return to the Irish province from Wasps at the end of the season on what is believed to be a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old still has 12 months to run on his contract with the London club but it appears that Connacht have reached an agreement to secure an early release. O'Connor left Connacht in 2003 at the behest of former Ireland coach Warren Gatland who had nurtured his development at the province before taking him to Wasps when the New Zealander was appointed head coach.
Gatland was encouraged in his efforts by former Lions and England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio who was very taken with the young flanker in a pre-season game at the that time. O'Connor had represented Ireland at underage level, including one memorable performance for the Under 21 side against New Zealand, and played for Ireland A but it wasn't until he moved to Wasps that he won the first of his 12 senior caps.
During his time in London, Wasps won the European Challenge Cup, the Heineken Cup European and the Premiership, although a couple of serious injuries (Achilles and neck) deprived O'Connor of the chance to play on some of the biggest stages. He is a popular player with players and supporters.
Having taken the number seven jersey from Paul Volley, the Irishman has come under increasing pressure from young English tyro Tom Rees. Rees, a former underage international, came on as a replacement at Croke Park last weekend. His graduation to first choice at the club has been facilitated by injuries to O'Connor.
There is a suggestion that Connacht and Wasps will make a statement with regard to O'Connor's future next week. His return to the Irish province is a massive boost for Michael Bradley, who has already lost Paul Warwick to Munster and seen South African born tighthead prop Stephen Knoop linked with a move to Leinster.
Connacht are looking to bring home more players and one of those could be O'Connor's former house-mate, Harlequins centre/wing/fullback Gavin Duffy. He has spent most of this season on the bench at the Stoop having lost his fullback role to England A international Tom Williams. Northampton secondrow Damien Browne is another obvious target, as he too hasn't been an automatic choice for his club this season.
