Leinster's Roman Salanoa arrives prior to the Guinness Pro14 Round 10 match against Connacht at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Connacht are interested in signing Leinster’s Hawaiian prospect Roman Salanoa as the unbeaten eastern province brace themselves for a raid on their squad from their local rivals.

The former American footballer is rated as a serious prospect by the PRO14 champions and made his senior debut against Ulster last month, adding a second cap off the bench against Andy Friend’s men a week later.

Salanoa has been in Dublin since September 2018, playing his club rugby for Old Belvedere and working with the Leinster Academy.

He is in year one of the Leinster Academy and will qualify to play for Ireland in 2023 under World Rugby's five-year residency laws if he remains here.

Connacht want to lure him west with the prospect of increased exposure to the top level and a senior deal as Friend looks to build a stronger squad.

Salanoa tips the scales at 123kg and is 6ft tall, but he only took up rugby in his final year of High School and was picked for the USA U-20s at the end of his first season in the game.

Expand Close Connacht's Conor Fitzgerald is tackled by Roman Salanoa of Leinster during the Guinness PRO14 Round 10 matchat the RDS Arena in Dublin recently. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile SPORTSFILE / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Connacht's Conor Fitzgerald is tackled by Roman Salanoa of Leinster during the Guinness PRO14 Round 10 matchat the RDS Arena in Dublin recently. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Currently, he is behind Ireland stars Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter in the pecking order, while Michael Bent and Vakh Abaladze are also in the senior squad, but his skill-set and athletic profile suggest he will continue to develop into a real option for Leinster.

They will stress the quality of their coaching, squad and facilities as they try and retain his services.

However, the sheer number of quality players at Leinster means they are under pressure to keep hold of their talent at the end of this season.

The IRFU want as many Irish-qualified players playing across the provinces and won’t be satisfied that Ireland prospects like opensides Will Connors and Scott Penny are sitting out Heineken Champions Cup weekends.

Connors turned down a move to Connacht two years ago, but remains behind Josh van der Flier in the queue, with Dan Leavy due to return later this year.

Leinster also have three quality No 8s on their books with Ireland’s Jack Conan currently sidelined and Caelan Doris and Max Deegan currently vying for the role; while they are strong at out-half where Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley are behind club captain Johnny Sexton and his deputy Ross Byrne.

Connacht, Munster and Ulster are all looking to bridge the gap to Leo Cullen’s side who have a 100pc record this season and the easiest way to do that is to convince fringe players that they’ll play more away from the RDS.

It remains to be seen how successful they will be, but it appears Leinster will face a fight to keep some of their best young players.

Online Editors