Connacht have snapped up two ex-Ireland U20 internationals from Leinster in an impressive double swoop for the Westerners.
The province announced on Thursday morning that they will sign Ben Murphy and Temi Lasisi this summer when their contracts with the Leinster academy expire.
Both have been capped by Leinster at senior level and have been part of successful Ireland U20 sides over the past few years.
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Connacht to sign two Ireland U20 internationals from Leinster
Bray native Ben Murphy has lined out for both Munster and Leinster in recent years, having spent a spell down south as injury cover in 2020 with the province short of scrum-half options.
16 December 2023; Ben Murphy of Leinster during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 Round 2 match between Leinster and Sale Sharks at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Murphy (son of Ulster coach Richie) was also a part of the 2020 Ireland U20 squad, which won its first three Six Nations games before the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 23-year-old has made several senior appearances for Leinster this season, including a Champions Cup outing against Sale Sharks in December.
Wexford man Temi Lasisi, meanwhile, was also part of a highly-rated Ireland U20 group, playing three games during the 2021 championship, in which Ireland finished third.
Thursday marks Lasisi's 23rd birthday. The Enniscorthy native will be a valuable asset to Connacht due to his versatility in the front-row, able to play both tighthead and loosehead prop.
Speaking on the signing of two exciting Leinster prospects, Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins said:
In Ben and Temi we have signed two highly promising players in key positions.
Ben has already gathered important minutes for Leinster at URC and Champions Cup level, and he will provide both competition and depth in our scrum-half position. We’re delighted to welcome Ben to the club and I know his new team mates and our supporters will enjoy getting to know him next season.
Temi arrives with enormous potential having come through the Leinster and Irish rugby pathways as a destructive loosehead, but now with the ability to also play tighthead. His versatility will perfectly complement the six other props we have contracted for next season, and I am really excited by the opportunity to work with him and support his development over the coming seasons.
Leinster also shared their response to the news, saying on social media, "Very best of luck to Temi Lasisi and Ben Murphy who have this morning confirmed moves to Connacht Rugby when their time in the Academy ends during the summer. Thanks for all your efforts fellas, and here's to a strong end to the season."
These moves do, however, raise yet more questions about the disparity between the options at Leinster's disposal and those of their provincial rivals.
With the wealth of senior talent Leinster currently hold in key positions, there is no hint yet that any of their many back-row or back-three talents will move elsewhere this summer.
Though Connacht will be delighted to get their hands on two promising young Ireland internationals, the recent contract renewals of Ciarán Frawley, Max Deegan, and Michael Milne - none of whom have been able to hold down a regular starting XV position this season - will only sow the seeds of doubt further.
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