Good news for Connacht this week. Lock Quinn Roux, who has been a key force this season, has signed a new two-year deal with the province.
The 27-year-old South African with six Ireland caps first arrived in Connacht on loan from Leinster in 2014 and made his Ireland debut two seasons later. When asked about the extension Roux said: "Yeah, I feel like I have had a massive season so far, and it's obviously nice to get the contract sorted at this time of the year and getting that out of the way and just focus on my performances every week. So yeah, I'm delighted to be in Galway for another two seasons."
The lock said he has been enjoying his leadership role within the squad, with calling the line-outs giving him more responsibility.
"I've been calling the line-outs for the last year so that's given me a kind of a leadership role in the team. It's a bit of responsibility I've taken on and it's another string I have added to my bow and that kind of forces you to lead in a way. I have been enjoying that part of it, and obviously we have a young squad. I'm 27 so I'm one of the older guys in the squad, so that's a real positive as well. Leading by example is the main thing for me."
Roux said he's never been in better condition.
"I think physically I'm in better shape. I haven't been in this good shape for a while - focusing on my own job and not worrying too much about what other people do and making sure that I nail what I need to do, preparing for training, and preparing for games. I think that has been showing on the pitch and that is something I have learned has worked for me. I will try to keep chipping away at it and hopefully get better performances out of every game."
Friend says Roux’s contract extension is important for Connacht.
“He’s brilliant for us, he’s extremely professional, he’s competitive, he loves it and he’s a good footballer. He gives you that starch you want in a second row. I always ask, what does a good second row do? They win ball and the stop opposition winning ball, and he does that.
"His line-out has been unbelievably good - I would suggest one of the best I have seen. His detail around it and what he calls, in addition to the scrum - he’s a massive engine sitting behind the tighthead - and around the field, his physicality - he knows it and he gets it.”
