Ultan Dillane Comments On Why He Chose Connacht Over Munster

Ireland lock Ultan Dillane recently squashed all rumours about a potential move back to Munster by signing a new deal with Connacht.

Dillane, originally from Kerry, started his rugby career with Munster in their academy system but was overlooked for a contract in the end and decided to move west and continue his rugby career thanks to an offer from the Galway-based province.

That decision for Munster to not offer him a deal, seems to have played a huge part in Dillane committing to Connacht.

Speaking to the42 Dillane said there was never a question of leaving as Connacht were ‘there’ for him.

“No, to be honest I don’t think so because Connacht gave me all the opportunities I ever had and it’s no disrespect to Munster at all, but Connacht were definitely there for me.

“And through the relative success that I might have had the last few years, it would have been a shame to turn my back on them that quickly and go back, I don’t think it’s a good sign of character anyway.

“But it was never my intention and I’m definitely so happy that I’ve made an incredible group of friends and there are good coaches as well down there, so it wasn’t a tough decision.”

Dillane however didn’t rule out an eventual move back to Munster at the end of his two-year deal, but the chances seem unlikely.

“It’s down the line but that’s very far, and again it’s not something that I’d be thinking about at all, at all. No, because I’m really happy where I am and yeah, I’m really excited for what we’re doing and what we’ll hope to achieve again.”

Dillane is in Schmidt’s Ireland squad for their upcoming test matches with New Zealand, Australia and Canada and no doubt will be out to show Munster what they missed out on by not signing him up all those years ago.