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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Adam Byrne, Rory O'Loughlin and Jack Dunne to leave Leinster this summer

Adam Byrne is joining Leinster team-mate Peter Dooley at Connacht in the summer.

And the mini-Blues exodus at the end of the season will also see Rory O'Loughlin and Jack Dunne move cross-channel to Exeter Chiefs.

Kildare winger Byrne is hoping to put together a consistent run when he moves to the westerners having seen his career disrupted by injury. Despite that, the Ireland international has scored 24 tries in 64 appearances.

"I feel that the time is right to seek out a new challenge and I am hugely excited by the challenge that Andy Friend has set for me and I look forward to contributing to a new environment from next season," said Byrne.

"Connacht is an ambitious club and I am also fortunate that I already have mates playing there and I look forward to linking up with them ahead of a new season."

Friend commented: "Everyone in Irish rugby knows of the quality Adam has as a footballer.

"He will complement the style of rugby we play here at Connacht, and his height and strong physical attributes will also offer us something different.

"Many players have taken their games to a new level after being given the platform here at the club and I know Adam has what it takes to do the same."

Second row Dunne, who is England qualified, and experienced centre O'Loughlin are also looking forward to fresh opportunities, with a move to Devon and the Gallagher Premiership beckoning.

Exeter are looking to replace stars like Jonny Hill and Sam Skinner and Chiefs boss Rob Baxter commented: “People will be aware that we have lost a few players for next season, so we’ve been into the market and we’ve moved very quickly to get Jack and Rory on board.

"They tick a lot of boxes for us."

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