Connacht capture flanker Faloon
Connacht Rugby have announced the signing of openside flanker Willie Faloon from Ulster on a two-year deal from the end of the season.
Voted Ulster Academy Player of the Year in 2009, Faloon won the AIB Cup with his native Ballynahinch and went on to earn his first Heineken Cup cap for Ulster against Bath in the same year.
The 6ft, 104kg back-rower earned his first Ireland Wolfhound cap against Scotland last year.
Now with 14 appearances in the Heineken Cup and 33 caps in the RaboDirect PRO12 Faloon has built a reputation as an abrasive ball-carrier.
"Signing Willie is a big step for us, he will join an already strong pack here at Connacht and his experience and workrate will add an extra dimension to our gameplay," Connacht coach Eric Elwood said.
"He's an athletic, aggressive ball-carrier in the mould of a traditional number seven and alongside his phenomenal work at the breakdown I know he will be a major asset to the club."
Faloon said he was "really looking forward" to the move.
"After speaking with Eric I was in no doubt as to the direction he wants to take Connacht Rugby and I'm happy to be part of that plan," the player said.
Faloon's signing follows Connacht's recent high-profile acquisitions of Dan Parks and Nathan White.
