Updated 12.15, 16 May

CONNACHT HAVE CONTINUED to shape their squad for next season despite not having a head coach.

On Tuesday, the province announced that Irish-qualified second row Joe Maksymiw would join the province from Leicester Tigers and today it was confirmed that Ulster academy product Jonny Murphy will go west after a season with Rotherham Titans.

The 26-year-old hooker was schooled in Banbridge and won age grade international honours with Ireland at U18, U19, and U20 level before debuting for Ulster last season.

Maksymiw, 22, who last term made his Premiership and Champions Cup debuts for the English club, joins Murphy, Robin Copeland, Kyle Godwin and David Horwitz on the list of confirmed arrivals for next season.

Maksymiw, whose grandfather is Irish, is a product of the Leicester academy and made his first senior appearances for the Tigers against the Barbarians in 2014, and went onto feature 11 times for the Welford Road club.

The former England U18 international’s arrival in Galway will bolster Connacht’s second row options following the departure of Andrew Browne.

“I am hugely excited about signing for Connacht and cannot wait to get over to the Sportsground and join up with the squad,” he said.

“I have really enjoyed my time with Leicester and would like to thank them for developing me as a player over the past few years. I know there is huge ambition within Connacht Rugby to bring further success to the province and I hope to contribute to that next season.”

Connacht forwards coach, Jimmy Duffy, added: “Joe is an exciting young player who we are looking forward to having in our squad next season. He is a big powerful lock who has progressed well at Leicester and he will be a good addition to Connacht Rugby.”

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