Massive blow.

Connacht have been dealt a major blow with one of their star players set to depart for France at the end of the season. Australian flanker Colby Fainga’a will move to French club Lyon in the summer according to a report in The42 today.

The 28-year-old has been a key man for the western province since joining from the Rebels back in 2018, earning the players’ player of the year award in his first season, as well as being named at openside in the 2018/19 Guinness Pro14 dream team.

Fellow Australian flanker Liam Gill is set to depart the Top 14 side at the end of the season with Fainga’a being lined up as an ideal replacement.

Connacht have offered Fainga’a a new deal to remain at the province but are unable to match the reported €300,000-a-season offer from Lyon.

The report adds that Connacht are keen to recruit a replacement for the Australian from abroad, with their search already underway.