Kelleher looks poised for return to Leinster
CIAN KELLEHER has confirmed he will leave Connacht at the end of the season, with the talented wing set for a return to his native Leinster. Kelleher came through the ranks of the Leinster academy, but decided to further his career with Connacht and agreed a deal with the rival province in December 2015. It proved an acrimonious departure with Leinster less than pleased with the IRFU’s role in the negotiations. The former St Michael’s College star flourished at Connacht — scoring 14 tries in 44 appearances — and signed a contract extension back in March. However, the 24-yearold now looks set for a return to Leinster. ‘It’s with a heavy heart that this will be my last couple of months with Connacht Rugby,’ he said yesterday. ‘I want to thank everyone for their support over the last two and a half seasons, the supporters, the staff and the players. ‘The welcoming I received made me feel right at home and made me fall in love with a special place. I’ve made best friends and memories which I will cherish forever. ‘I’m looking forward to finishing these last couple of months now on a high.’
DANNY CIPRIANI could be thrown straight back into action against Munster in the Heineken Champions Cup, having recovered from a chest injury. And in a major boost to his club the Gloucester playmaker, 31, is ready to commit to a new deal — despite his England exile — and those at Kingsholm want to keep him too. Cipriani (right) last featured in the Exeter European defeat a month ago when he hurt his pectoral muscle. His coach Johan Ackermann is giving him every chance to make the crunch clash against Munster on Friday. ‘If you ask Danny, he is ready to go. That’s a good sign for us,’ Ackermann told Sportsmail. ‘Danny has a fitness test on Thursday, hopefully he comes through. Yesterday was a big marker, because we had semi-contact training. He did his own contact yesterday too. ‘I will give him as much time as possible as it has been a short turnaround [from Leicester on Saturday] but will take guidance from the medical team. I like it if players are as strong as they were before the injury.’ Cipriani took a pay cut — downgrading early demands of a £400,000 salary at Wasps — when moving to Gloucester. His deal runs out in the summer of 2020 but he is keen to stay longer. The fly-half and the club are already negotiating an extension to his deal, and Ackermann said it does not depend on his England selection.