Carr moving as he considers options

RUGBY:FIONN CARR is considering offers from Welsh, English and French clubs – he also has one from an Irish club – and will make a decision on where he will play next season in the near future. The Newbridge-born underage and Ireland A wing-cum-fullback has told Connacht he will be moving on; it is now a question of where.

He turned 25 last month and the likelihood is he will go abroad. He is among the best finishers in Irish rugby with a wonderful strike-rate in the Magners League and Amlin Challenge Cup. Yet despite blistering pace and great feet he has failed to make the Ireland senior squad, particularly this season when they have been shorn by injury. Tighthead Jamie Hagan is expected to be confirmed as a Leinster player for next season within the next week.

Meanwhile, in better news for the western province, Connacht coach Eric Elwood has carried out a raid on the underage talent in Wales and nailed down two new utility backs for next season, both of whom are Ireland-qualified.

Matthew Jarvis (20), who will join Connacht from the Ospreys, is a promising player who can play outhalf, centre or fullback. He has played Under-18 and Under-20 for Wales and the Neath-born player is Ireland-qualified as his grandmother is from Cork.

James Loxton will also be heading to the Sportsground next summer after signing from Cardiff Blues.

The 21-year-old, who can play on either wing or at fullback has also been capped at Under-18 and Under-20 for Wales.

He was born in Berlin but qualifies for Ireland as his mother is from Crossmolina in Mayo.

Elwood enthused: “They are two very promising players. We have been keeping an eye on them since my time with the Irish Under-20s and we think they can do a good job for us.”

Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly said he was hopeful they would follow in the footsteps of the likes of Mike McCarthy and Michael Swift who came from Britain and made a big contribution to Connacht.