Irish Province Transfer Tracker 2026/27: Leinster Cleanup, Connacht Rebuild and Ulster Review
The 2026/27 Irish provincial transfer table is starting to take shape and is already shaping up to be one of the most interesting summers in recent memory.
Leinster, Connacht, Munster and Ulster are all heading in different directions. Connacht have added some serious quality, Leinster are facing a major squad reset, Munster have kept things tight, while Ulster are once again facing significant player turnover.
Connacht: Strong recruitment window
Connacht has been busy and its recruitment looks the most eye-catching of the four provinces so far.
The arrivals of Ciaran Frawley, Will Connors And Jerry Cahir of Leinster give Connacht a proven Irish provincial quality, while François van Wyk arrives from Bath to add depth to the front row.
There is also a clear academic pathway at play, with Barrett’s debt, Sean Naughton, Matthew Victoire And Billy Bohan all promoted.
Connacht players present
- Ciaran Frawley of Leinster
- Leinster’s Will Connors
- Francis van Wyk of Bath
- Jerry Cahir of Leinster
- Thomas Connolly of Old Belvedere
- Debt Barrett promoted from Academy
- Seán Naughton promoted from Academy
- Matthew Victory promoted from Academy
- Billy Bohan promoted from Academy
Connacht players absent
- Joe Joyce in Gloucester
- Matthew Devine in Ulster
- Jack Carty retired
- Denis Buckley released
- Peter Dooley released
- Temi Lasisi released
- Oisín Dowling released
- Oisin McCormack released
- David Hawkshaw released
- Chay Mullins released
- Jack Aungier in Munster
Leinster: start of a major experience
Leinster’s list is the most striking. Joey Carbery returns from Bordeaux, while Stephen Smyth, Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Josh Kenny leave the academy.
Still, the outgoing list is significant. Will Connors, Ciaran Frawley, Luc McGrath, John McKee, Rabah Slimani, Jerry Cahir And Rieko Ioane are all listed as leaving, while James Lowe also leaves.
Departures from the academy are also notable, with Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Liam Molony, Páidí Farrell and Henry McErlean leaving.
Leinster players present
- Joey Carbery of Bordeaux
- Stephen Smyth promoted from Academy
- Conor O’Tighearnaigh promoted from Academy
- Josh Kenny promoted from Academy
Leinster players absent
- Rabah Slimani to Toulon
- Jerry Cahir in Connacht
- John McKee at the Scarlets
- Will Connors in Connacht
- Luke McGrath in Perpignan
- Ciarán Frawley to Connacht
- Rieko Ioane at the Blues
- James Lowe destination Japan
- Unknown Destination of Billy Corrigan
- Mahon Ronan destination unknown
- Unknown destination of Liam Molony
- Padí Farrell destination unknown
- Henry McErlean destination unknown
Munster: smaller but important changes
Affairs in Munster were more contained. The arrival of Marnus van der Merwe from Scarlets adds experience, while Jack Aungier arrives from Connacht.
Academy promotions are also a big part of Munster’s summer, with Sean Edogbo, Ben O’Connor, Ronan Foxe and Max Clein progressing.
Munster players present
- Marnus van der Merwe of Scarlets
- Jack Aungier from Connacht
- Sean Edogbo promoted from Academy
- Ben O’Connor promoted from Academy
- Ronan Foxe promoted from Academy
- Max Clein promoted from the Academy
Munster players absent
- Jean Kleyn to Gloucester
- Niall Scannell has retired
- John Ryan retired
- Thaakir Abrahams to the bulls
Ulster: Another Great Reset
Ulster still made major changes. Eli Snyman, Matthew Devine, Ben Donnell, Jamie Benson, Eduardo Bello and Bryn Ward all arrive.
However, the list of departures is long, with twelve players gone or released. This includes Angus Bell, Werner Kok, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan and Sean Reffell.
Ulster players present
- Eli Snyman of Benetton
- Matthew Devine from Connacht
- Ben Donnell from Cardiff
- Jamie Benson of Harlequins
- Newcastle Red Bulls’ Eduardo Bello
- Bryn Ward promoted from Academy
Ulster players absent
- Angus Bell at NSW Waratahs
- John Andrew released
- Matthew Dalton released
- Wilhelm de Klerk freed
- James Humphreys released
- Werner Kok released
- Ben Moxham released
- Rory McGuire released
- Bryan O’Connor released
- Marcus Rea released
- Sean Reffell released
- David Shanahan released
Net transfer movement
- Leinster: 4 inputs, 13 outputs – net -9
- Connacht: 9 inputs, 11 outputs – net -2
- Munster: 6 inputs, 4 outputs — net +2
- Ulster: 6 inputs, 12 outputs — net -6
The biggest talking point is Leinster squad turnover. For a province known for its depth, losing this level of senior experience and academic talent in a single summer is still significant.
Connacht, meanwhile, appear to have taken the most aggressive steps, adding proven players from Leinster while also promoting from within. Munster appears relatively stable, while the rebuilding of Ulster continues.
There is still time to move more, but as things stand, Connacht is perhaps the province that has achieved the most bargains ahead of the 2026/27 season.
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