 | |||
| Nickname(s) | The Westerners | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1885 | ||
| Location | Galway, Ireland | ||
| Ground(s) | Dexcom Stadium (Capacity: 8,129) | ||
| CEO | Willie Ruane | ||
| Coach(es) | Peter Wilkins | ||
| Captain(s) | Cian Prendergast | ||
| Most appearances | John Muldoon (327) | ||
| Top scorer | Jack Carty (1,262) | ||
| Most tries | Matt Healy (58) | ||
| League(s) | United Rugby Championship | ||
| 2023–24 | 11th (Irish Shield: 4th) | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| www | |||
 Current season | |||
Connacht Rugby (Irish: Rugbaí Connachta) is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams from the island of Ireland. Connacht competes in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. The team represents the IRFU Connacht Branch, which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union throughout the geographical Irish province of Connacht.
Connacht plays its home games at the Dexcom Stadium, which currently holds 6,126 spectators and can be expanded to 8,129.[1] Connacht play in a predominantly green jersey, shorts and socks. The Connacht Rugby crest is a modified version of the provincial flag of Connacht and consists of a dimidiated eagle and an arm wielding a sword.
With the province containing just over 8% of the total Irish population, Connacht has a much smaller base of rugby union players to choose from than the other three provinces. This player base is also affected by the relative popularity of Gaelic Athletic Association sports such as hurling and Gaelic football.[2] However, rugby union in Connacht has expanded, with increased ticket sales,[3] in particular since its first season competing in the Heineken Cup. Through the efforts of the Connacht Branch and the support of the IRFU, the province has experienced growth, increasing its underage and schools participation through initiatives such as the Grassroots to Greenshirts campaign.[4] Connacht enjoyed their most significant success in 2016, when they defeated fellow Irish province Leinster in the 2016 Pro12 Grand Final to win the competition for the first time.[5]
The province also has a developmental side, which plays in the Celtic Cup. Before the creation of the Celtic Cup, the Connacht Eagles competed in the British and Irish Cup.
- ^ "A new seated stand is in place at the Sportsground for Connacht's upcoming season". The42. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ "Infographic: The number of GAA clubs in every county in Ireland and every continent around the world". JOE.ie. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ^ "Plan outlined for rugby growth in Connacht". The Irish Times. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ^ Grassroots to Greenshirts – Connacht Rugby Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "2016 Pro12 Final: as it happened". The42. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.