Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce the extended contract of Ireland international Kieran Marmion. The 23-year-old, who was first capped for Ireland in the summer of 2014, has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with Connacht Rugby.

Having started out in the Connacht Academy in 2012, Marmion earned his first PRO12 cap for Connacht that September when he lined out against Cardiff Blues in the opening round of the league.

He went on to start every game of the 2012/13 season and was the sole Connacht squad member and only player in the league to do so. Now in his fourth season at the province, the young number 9 has 86 Connacht appearances to his name.

The scrum-half, who was born in England, and grew up in Brecon, Wales, but whose family hail from Loughrea, Co. Galway, was brought over to Ireland through the Exiles system and went on to be capped at Under-18, 19 and 20 level for Ireland before making the step up to the Wolfhounds and then senior team .

Commenting on the contract extension, Connacht CEO Willie Ruane said:

“Kieran is a tremendously talented individual and naturally there was a lot of interest in where he would be playing his rugby. He is an important part of our vision going forward as an organisation. I have no doubt that he has an exciting future ahead of him with Ireland and it’s fantastic that he will be representing Connacht at the same time.”

Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“It’s great for Connacht Rugby and our supporters that Kieran has chosen to continue playing at the Sportsground where he started out his professional career. Over the years, he has grown enormously as a player and as a person and has obviously established himself as a vital cog in the team. At 23, he’s still very young but he is a key member of our leadership group and is massively respected by everyone on and off the field. I’ve really enjoyed working with him and I look forward to continuing that for another two seasons.”

Kieran Marmion added:

“I’m delighted to be staying with Connacht Rugby for at least the next two years and I’m looking forward to achieving some big things with the team in that time. I’m really enjoying the rugby we’re playing and the culture we’ve built. It’s a very exciting time to be involved.”