O’Conor’s Move to Connacht
Seven years into what seems to be an unofficial exchange program between Connacht and Bristol Bears, Piers O’Conor is the latest player to make the switch from Bristol to the Dexcom Stadium. The well-traveled road between the two clubs was initially paved by Pat Lam when he left Connacht to join Bristol in 2017, setting off a steady flow of traffic between the teams. O’Conor’s move was not directly influenced by the established link between the clubs but was facilitated by the comfort of knowing familiar faces in Connacht.
Comfort in Familiar Faces
The familiarity of having former Connacht players at Bristol and vice versa provided O’Conor with a level of comfort when making his decision to sign with Connacht. Players like Joe Joyce, Kieran Marmion, and John Muldoon had positive experiences at both clubs, which helped reassure O’Conor about his move. Despite the lack of a direct correlation between the player transfers, the shared experiences and positive feedback from former teammates made the transition smoother for O’Conor.
A New Challenge in Connacht
After six years at Bristol, O’Conor felt it was time for a new challenge and saw Connacht as a great opportunity to further his rugby career. The versatile back, who started his career in Australia and played a non-Test game for England in 2021, remains Irish qualified through his grandfather. His move to Connacht was motivated by the desire to step out of his comfort zone in the English Premiership and embrace the challenge of playing in Ireland.
O’Conor made his debut for Connacht in a recent match against Munster, showcasing his versatility by starting at full-back before switching to outside centre during the game. Despite spending most of the match on the wing due to an injury, O’Conor expressed his preference for playing at outside centre, where he feels most comfortable and impactful. As Connacht prepares to face the Sharks, O’Conor is eager to prove himself in the midfield position he prefers.
Overall, O’Conor’s move to Connacht represents a new chapter in his career, marked by the excitement of a fresh challenge and the opportunity to contribute to a team with ambitious goals. With a supportive squad, welcoming environment, and the backing of former teammates who have thrived at both clubs, O’Conor is poised to make his mark in the green jersey of Connacht.