CONNACHT ANNOUNCED A “major coup” this morning by signing Super XV winning captain Craig Clarke.
The New Zealander joins on a three-year contract at the end of this season and will fill the gap left in the second row by Mike McCarthy’s impending move to Leinster.
Clarke, 29, skippered the Waikato Chiefs to their first Super XV title in 2012 and earned a call-up to the All Blacks’ training squad for his performances throughout the season.
“The fact a player of Craig’s calibre has chosen to commit to Connacht is a clear sign of the progress we have made and our intent going forward,” CEO Tom Sears said of the towering 6’7″ star.
After leading the Chiefs to the Super XV title last season Craig certainly wasn’t short of options – he has chosen Connacht because he wants to be a part of what is happening here.
Twice a World Cup winner at underage level, Clarke represented the Junior All Blacks at the Pacific Nations Cup in 2009 but has never been capped at full international level.
