New signing.

Connacht Rugby have this afternoon announced the signing of Piers O’Conor from Bristol Bears for the 2024/25 season.

The Irish-qualified 28-year-old joins after a six-year spell in Bristol where he amassed 131 appearances and 35 tries. He played a major role in a period of success for the Premiership side, which included a Challenge Cup winners medal in 2020.

Prior to joining the side he had spells at Wasps and Ealing Trailfinders. He also has experience at underage international level, featuring 10 times for the England U20s in 2015 while he also played for the Ireland U19s.

Primarily an outside centre, O’Conor can also play at fullback or on either wing, further strengthening the options available to Pete Wilkins and his coaching team for the years ahead.

O’Conor is Irish-qualified through his grandfather, with roots in Roscommon as well as Dublin.

He was recently linked with a move to Munster as a potential replacement for Antoine Frisch, but he’s now set to head west instead.