Connacht sign scrumhalf Campbell

Connacht have signed former Ireland srumhalf Kieran Campbell on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old, who signs from Ulster and had a four-year spell with London Irish between 1997 and 2001, will join the province at the end of the season.

"I'm excited to be joining a Connacht side which is very competitive and gaining great impetus under the guidance of Michael Bradley and Eric Elwood," said Campbell today.

"Obviously with Michael Bradley at the helm, I'm sure he'll have a significant influence on how I play, having been a former Irish scrumhalf himself."

Campbell was part of the U19 Ireland squad that won the World Cup in 1999 and will renew acquaintances with some former teammates at Connacht, like hooker Adrian Flavin who yesterday signed a two-year extension.

"Connacht is a squad with great potential and I'm looking forward to getting the opportunity to playing again with former team mates, having grown up with Adrian Flavin at London Irish and of course Johnny O'Connor and Gavin Duffy for Ireland."

Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly welcomed the experience halfback this morning.

"Kieran sees this as an opportunity to push himself back into the Irish setup," said Kelly. "While playing at Ulster he has been frustrated by the lack of playing opportunities due to the success of Isaac Boss and with that in mind he is a great asset for us to acquire for the forthcoming season."

While the signing is good news for Connacht, Ulster have lost yet another experience player after watching Roger Wilson, Neil McMillan, Tommy Bowe, Neil Best and Justin Harrison leave in recent weeks.