Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that 24-year-old centre Dave McSharry has signed a new deal that will keep him at the Sportsground until at least the summer of 2017.

McSharry joined Connacht in 2011 and since then the former Templeogue schoolboy has proven himself an exceptional ball carrier and a key component in Connacht’s defensive line. The Dubliner has played in 14 games this season, bringing his total Connacht tally to 58 senior caps.

Meanwhile, Connacht Rugby face Exeter at the Sportsground on Sunday (3.15pm) in the first of two games in six days, which will define their season in Europe.

Pat Lam’s men face La Rochelle in France on Saturday week but this weekend’s match against the English Premiership outfit is pretty much a ‘winner takes all’ clash in Pool 2 to qualify for the quarter finals.