Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that Matt Healy has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him play with the province until at least the summer of 2018.

Dublin born Healy joined Connacht at the start of the 2012/13 season straight from AIL club side Lansdowne RFC and has gone on to make 57 appearances, scoring 20 tries. The 26-year-old made his Connacht debut against Leinster at the RDS in September 2012 and tomorrow evening will be the fourth time the former Gonzaga school boy lines out at the Dublin venue in the PRO12 competition.

On the international front, Healy was one of eight Connacht Rugby players to travel to Romania last summer as part of the Emerging Ireland’s Nations Cup winning campaign. The former scrum half was capped nine times for the Ireland Under-20s playing in the 2009 U20 Six Nations and U20 World Championship

Commenting on the announcement, Matt, who has started 10 of Connacht’s 14 games this season, said:

“I am really happy to have re-signed for Connacht for another two years. It’s hard to believe this is already my fourth season at the club but it really has become home to me. I’m enjoying my rugby and genuinely feel I am improving as a player all the time.

“It’s an exciting time to be playing for Connacht and I’m looking forward to achieving big things with the team this season and in to the future.”

Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“It’s great to have Matt commit to the team and the vision of Connacht Rugby. Since he came to Connacht four seasons ago, he has grown massively as a player and as an individual. What I admire about Matt is his attitude and commitment to learn and improve. He is always working on his game and looking at how he can get better from week to week and it is reflected in his performances on the pitch.

“Personally, I am delighted to be working with him for the next few seasons.”

Willie Ruane, CEO, Connacht Rugby added:

“We’re delighted that Matt has committed his future to Connacht. His journey to professional rugby is an interesting one but we are very happy that he has had the chance to progress and showcase his talent here at Connacht. It’s clear that he has the potential to go even further and we have no doubt that he will continue to put in the hard work to achieve his goals.”