Connon called into Ireland U20s
Newcastle Falcons fly half Brett Connon is the second player from the club to be called up for international duties in a week, as he is named in the Ireland U20s side for the upcoming age grade RBS 6 Nations.
The only player in the squad to come from outside the four Irish provincial sides, Connon has featured for the Falcons in both the Kings of the North tournament and the Aviva A League for the club at both Fly Half and Full Back.
Connon began his rugby career at the age of six with Carlisle RFC and became a member of the Falcons’ junior academy at the age of 15 after following the Cumbria Developing Player Programme, before earning a Senior Academy contract last summer.
A pupil at Austin Friars, Connon was registered at Tynedale RFC in his final year at school, giving him a full season’s worth of experience of adult level rugby in National 1. Connon was able to use this experience to make the most of his opportunities in the tri team Kings of the North cup and for Blaydon in National 1 this season, where he is dual registered.
His inclusion in the Ireland U20s side could see him in action against fellow academy member Callum Chick on Friday February 26th, when England and Ireland take on each other at Kingston Park in an 18:05 kick off.
Speaking about Connon’s call up, Falcons Academy Manager Mark Laycock said: “We are really pleased for Brett. He has worked really hard to earn his call up and he will most certainly be looking forward to the challenges ahead. He is a very mature young man and we are confident that he will make the most of the opportunity that he has been given.
We had a good catch up with Nigel (Carolan) the Ireland U20 head coach when we were over in Connacht before Christmas. He is a great coach and Brett will learn a lot from him.”
