Stuart Lancaster insists he did everything he could to keep Matthew Devine at Connacht but that ultimately it was the player’s decision to join Ulster in the summer on a one-year deal. Devine was reluctant to sign a three-year contract having only started nine of the 28 games he has played for Connacht. Devine made his debut in January 2024 but so far has played under three Connacht head coaches, including interim Cullie Tucker. The departure of the likes of Matthew Devine runs contrary to Connacht schemes such as ‘Grassroots to green shirts’, so did Lancaster and Connacht do everything to hold onto him? “He's a great player, he's a great lad, we’ve got him and his brother have got on really well with both of them.

Source: Irish Examiner March 29, 2026 15:06 UTC