NUI Galway and Corinthians RFC have joined forces to play in the U-21 All-Ireland League's South West Conference, which includes Munster Rugby clubs.
It is hoped this combined squad will enhance the standards, competitiveness, and participation in u-21 rugby in both clubs, and help to promote the game in Galway and in Connacht.
The team will field wearing a newly-designed jersey that combines the traditional NUI Galway maroon and white with Corinthians' black, blue, and white hoops, as well as featuring both clubs’ crests. Promising players from the combined u-21 team will have access to senior AIL rugby through the Corinthians senior squad.
The squad will be coached by Paul Donnellan and former international underage rugby coach Bartley Fannin. It will also benefit from Corinthians' senior coaches, including former club captain and stalwart Pat Cunningham and head coach Phil Pretorious.
As the final warm-up to the competitive season, the squad will play back-to-back ‘home and away’ fixtures against Dublin’s Railway Union u-21s - home in Dangan on Saturday and away in Dublin on Saturday September 29 under Railway Union's new floodlights.