Connacht have recruited three of the Ireland Under-20 side who made history by reaching the world championship final into their academy for the 2016/17 season.

Sligo RFC pair Cillian Gallagher and Stephen Kerins and Buccanners' Conor Kenny were all part of Nigel Carolan's squad in Manchester, and they are part of the Pro 12 champion's intake for the new season.

Under-20s boss Carolan manages the Connacht academy, and he has also brought in 20-year-old winger Adam Leavy, and Galwegians lock Peter Claffey - who missed the Under-20s world championships through injury - into the Sportsground set-up.

Speaking about his new crop of players, Carolan said: “It’s fantastic to have such a talented group of players coming into the Academy for the coming season. All five have been a part of our sub-academy programme so they know what to expect in a professional environment.

“With eight of our Academy players capped in the PRO12 and Challenge Cup last season and six graduating to the senior squad this year, the players can see how close they are to making it to the next stage once they put the hard work in. Our goal in the Academy is to develop more and more players to go on and play for Connacht and Ireland.”

Full list of Connacht Academy 2016/17

YEAR 3

Jamie Dever Tighthead Prop

Jack Dinneen Hooker

Ciaran Gaffney Back Three

Marc Kelly Back Row

Conor McKeon Scrumhalf

Saba Meunargia Tighthead Prop

YEAR 2

Cormac Brennan Back Three

Conor Kyne Loosehead Prop

Conor Lowndes Scrum Half

Stephen McVeigh Back Row

Conan O’Donnell Tighthead Prop

Ed O’Keeffe Back Three

Pat O’Toole Hooker

Cian Romaine Lock

YEAR 1

Peter Claffey Lock

Cillian Gallagher Lock

Conor Kenny Prop

Stephen Kerins Scrumhalf

Adam Leavy Wing