Geraghty commits to Exiles

England prospect Shane Geraghty has pledged himself to London Irish by signing a three-year contract with the Guinness Premiership club.

The outhalf, a member of England's Six Nations Championship squad, has agreed terms that will keep him at Irish until 2010. It is the 20-year-old's first senior professional contract.

Geraghty said: "I joined the London Irish academy two years ago because I thought it was the right place for me, and everything that has happened to me since has proved that was a good decision."

Exiles rugby director Brian Smith added: "Shane is a wonderful talent, and he has made the most of his opportunities playing beside Mike Catt and Seilala Mapusua."

Fit-again Gavin Williams and Ryan Strudwick replace Darren Yapp and David McGowan in the 22-man Connacht squad coach Michael Bradley announced yesterday ahead of the European Challenge Cup match with NEC Harlequins tomorrow at the Stoop (kick-off 2.15pm). It is also expected that Matt Mostyn, David Gannon and Tom Tierney will resume full training in the next two weeks.

CONNACHT SQUAD: P Durcan, A Farley, A Flavin, J Fogarty, J Hearty, C Keane, S Knoop, M Lacey, M McHugh, C McPhillips, B O'Connor, R Ofisa, C O'Loughlin, C Rigney, D Riordan, T Robinson, R Strudwick, B Sturgess, M Swift, P Warwick, B Wilkinson, G Williams. Not considered due to injury: D Gannon (ankle), R Loughney (knee), K Matthews (knee), J Merrigan (leg), M Mostyn (ankle), D Slemen (knee), T Tierney (ankle).