their front row with another up-and-coming young player from New Zealand.
Another astute recruiting move from Connacht, 22-year-old tighthead prop Dominic Robertson-McCoy from Northland, is also Irish qualified through his grandfather from Co Armagh.
Robertson-McCoy is already familiar with some of Pat Lam's squad - Jake Heenan, also from Northland, and Nepia Fox Matamua. Like Pat Lam, Robertson-McCoy is an old boy of Auckland Marist where he came to prominence, winning the Premier Player of the Year award and the Best and Fairest in 2014. The same season he was selected on the Auckland B side, and the Auckland ITM training squad alongside Fox-Matamua.
After playing a season with the Blues development side, Robertson-McCoy transferred to Northland for the ITM Cup and was named two months ago in Northland's high performance squad.
He will boost Connacht's front row options with Rodney Ah You having moved to Ulster, and Finlay Bealham involved in the Ireland set-up.
Pat Lam says he saw Robertson-McCoy when he was involved in the Auckland Schools system and played for the Blues U18 in NZ.
"He is a young prop who can play on both sides of the scrum and I believe he has huge potential. I know he will continue to thrive and develop in a fulltime professional environment which will be very beneficial for Connacht and Irish Rugby.
"We're looking forward to getting him over for the pre-season as we build towards the start of a new season in both the Pro 12 and European Champions Cup."
