Ahead of next season it looks like Connacht might potentially be in a spot of bother for depth at fly-half. JJ Hanrahan was first choice last season but the former Munster man looks to be out for the majority of next season after sustaining an ACL injury in March.
Their only other two options are veteran Jack Carty and Ireland U20s player Sean Naughton. Carty has been a great player for Connacht through the years but his form took a dip last season at at 31 his best years could be behind him.
Sean Naughton looks to be an exciting prospect but it's probably too early to throw him in the deep end. Connacht were looking at adding Sam Prendergast on a loan-deal but Leinster supposedly shot that idea down but it now looks like Connacht may have found their man to fill the shoes of Hanrahan.
Report: Connacht To Sign Josh Ioane From Super Rugby
A report has circulated online from Galway Bay Fm that one time All Blacks Josh Ioane reportedly could be making the move out west to join Connacht in what is a very intriguing move for Irish rugby.
Having originally come through with the Highlanders back in 2018, 28-year old Ioane spent this past season playing with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific as a backup to Damian McKenzie. Despite his limited minutes Ioane scored four tries as the Chiefs reached the final of the competition where they los to the Blues.
Josh Ioane has also shone for Otago in the NPC and has some versatility to him, being more than capable of playing at fullback as well as fly-half.
This is sensational from Josh Ioane & Vilimoni Koroi.
More of this in the final this weekend please @OtagoRugbyTeam.#BunningsNPC #TARvOTA pic.twitter.com/itLfwD7MaW
— Bunnings NPC (@BunningsNPC) November 15, 2021
Ioane's one and only All Blacks appearance came in 2019 as he came on as a second half substitute for Beauden Barrett in a World Cup warm-up match against Tonga.
He's since been a regular fixture for the Maori All Blacks and the All Blacks XV, lining up against Ireland during the New Zealand tour in 2022 as well as facing the Barbarians in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that same year.
Last season ended in disappointment for Connacht as they missed out on the URC playoffs and Champions Cup qualification. With a young squad with exciting prospects like Naughton, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde and Matthew Devine adding an experienced pro like Josh Ioane could be what pushes Connacht into those playoff places.
