Leinster back Ciarán Frawley look set to join Connacht next season although there’s nothing “official yet”, according to senior coach Jacques Nienaber.
The 28-year-old utility player has spent nine years at the province and won nine Ireland caps and the42.ie this morning reported that the Skerries man was on the verge of a switch to the Westerners where he would link up with former Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster.
“Me and contracts again,” laughed the South African, who is in charge of defence, when asked if that was his understanding.
“Listen, I don’t think anything is official yet so I’m not sure.
“That is not my responsibility. Guy [Easterby, Leinster chief operating officer] and Leo Cullen [head coach], they will know the ins and outs and the details so I’m not sure.
“My only input is from a rugby point of view, what’s their form on the field. The off-field stuff, I’m not too tuned into.
“I don’t think anything is official yet so honestly, I don’t know.”
Frawley, who has moved between out-half, centre, full-back and wing, landed two late dropgoals when Ireland beat South Africa in the second Test in 2024 (above) but hasn’t featured for Andy Farrell’s side since November of last year.
He has played 111 times for Leinster and scored 304 points.
Nienaber, whose side face Munster on Saturday in Thomond Park, added: “As an individual, off-field, he’s a great guy and there’s always good craic around him.
“He’s a great team guy and there’s always a smile on his face and a laugh.
“On the field, he’s a very talented rugby player and good at what he does so he’s an asset for us and knowing the person, it doesn’t matter what happens, he will give his all for the club.
“If he goes or not that’s the type of person he is.
“If it is the truth [about the move] then obviously Connacht will get a guy who’s a great team guy and a very competent rugby player.”
Frawley scored a try for Leinster in their Champions Cup win over Harlequins
Frawley is currently in competition with a number of fellow international players at his home province, while he would be likely to compete primarily for the out-half shirt with Josh Ioane and Jack Carty if he moved to the Dexcom Stadium.
Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe, Jordan Larmour, Jimmy O’Brien and Tommy O’Brien are all established Ireland players, while Leinster have drafted in All Black centres Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane on short-term deals in the last 13 months.
Sam Prendergast and Harry Byrne are Leinster’s preferred out-half options at the moment.
“In Leinster that is the thing,” said Nienaber on the competition for places at the four-time Champions Cup winners.
“If you are [prop] Paddy McCarthy you are in competition with Ports [Andrew Porter], you are in competition with Jack Boyle, irrespective of who the player is.
“Whoever goes to Connacht or Ulster, there is going to be competition.”
Meanwhile, Lancaster, also speaking on a remote call this afternoon, declined to confirm or deny the mooted move.