By Adam Ellis
Connacht have bolstered their midfield ranks for next season with the addition of Kyle Godwin from Super Rugby side Brumbies.
The Zimbabwe-born Australian centre will move to the PRO14 outfit in the summer having spent two seasons in Canberra.
The 25-year-old banked a deal with the Brumbies after starring for the Western Force in 2016, winning a trio of awards at the end of the season which included the inaugural Nathan Sharpe Medal, Members’ Most Valuable Player Award and Rising Star Award.
Godwin made his 66th appearance in Super Rugby in the Brumbies’ all-Australian clash against the Melbourne Rebels earlier this month, but suggested he was ready to leave that all behind for the ‘next few seasons’ in Ireland.
“I am really pleased to be joining Connacht and I’m looking forward to getting there and meeting my new team-mates. I have had a fantastic few seasons with the Brumbies and am really grateful to everyone at the club for my time there.
“It will be a new challenge playing in the PRO14 but I know Connacht are really ambitious about their plans for the future and I hope to play a significant part in that over the next few seasons.”
Godwin comes with international pedigree having won one cap for the Wallabies off the back of the sensational season he had with Western Force, and Connacht CEO Willie Ruane welcomed the signing which was approved by the IRFU.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of Kyle Godwin ahead of the 2018/19 season. Kyle is a highly-rated player with significant Super Rugby experience and we are excited by what he will bring to our midfield as we target further success in the seasons ahead.”