Connacht’s 2026/27 Reset Starts Here: Frawley and Connors Arrive as Departures Loom

Connacht have wasted no time shaping the squad for 2026/27, confirming three new signings — Francois van Wyk from Bath, plus Ciarán Frawley and Will Connors from Leinster — as the province moves towards a significant refresh. [oai_citation:1‡Connacht Rugby](https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/francois-van-wyk-signs-for-connacht-rugby/bp3612/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) At the same time, a number of current players are widely expected to move on, with second row Joe Joyce already confirmed to be joining Gloucester at the end of the season. [oai_citation:2‡The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/01/20/joe-joyce-to-leave-connacht-for-gloucester-at-the-end-of-the-season/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Confirmed signings

• • Francois van Wyk (Bath) – experienced loosehead prop arriving next season. [oai_citation:3‡Connacht Rugby](https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/francois-van-wyk-signs-for-connacht-rugby/bp3612/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• • Ciarán Frawley (Leinster) – two-year deal, joining ahead of the 2026/27 season. [oai_citation:4‡Connacht Rugby](https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/ciaran-frawley-signs-for-connacht-rugby/bp3598/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• • Will Connors (Leinster) – two-year deal, adds depth and bite in the back row. [oai_citation:5‡Connacht Rugby](https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/will-connors-signs-for-connacht-rugby/bp3619/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

What the signings say about Connacht’s direction

This feels like a shift away from “project” recruitment and towards players who are ready to contribute immediately. Van Wyk brings proven Premiership experience in the front row, Connors is a high-end defensive and breakdown operator when fit, and Frawley is the headline: a multi-position back who can cover 10 and 12 and improve Connacht’s in-game control. In other words: less hope, more certainty. If you want to be cheeky about it, it’s a move away from quockerwodger recruitment — where the squad shape ends up being driven by outside forces — and towards a clear plan.

Confirmed departure

• • Joe Joyce – leaving Connacht for Gloucester at the end of the season

Based on the current noise around the squad, the following players are viewed as likely to move on. None of the below is confirmed by Connacht at the time of writing (unless stated above), but the expectation is that most will go:

• • Jack Carty

• • David O’connor

• • Dave Heffernan

• • Matthew Devine (linked with Ulster)

• • Byron Ralston

• • Chay Mullins

• • James Nicholson
  • David Hawkshaw 

Possible departures (decisions still to come)

There are also a few names that feel genuinely 50/50 — the type of decisions that will define whether this is a true rebuild or simply a tidy-up:

• • Dennis Buckley

• • Eoin De Buitlear

• • Oisin McCormick

• • Peter Dooley

• • Bundee Aki

• • Ben Murphy

What Connacht still need

Even with three quality additions, Connacht will still need more proven URC-level depth if this is going to be a genuine step forward — particularly in the front row and in key spine positions. The next wave of business will tell us whether this is a bold reset or just the opening chapter.

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