Connacht’s youth development programme is starting to pay rich dividends with several academy players already making their mark on the senior team.
The trio of Fiachna Barrett, Matthew Victory and Sean Naughton are making huge strides in the professional set-up thanks to Stuart Lancaster’s vision to bring them into the senior set-up, along with Mayo’s Harry West, who earned his first full time contract this season. These up-and coming players are already making names for themselves.
Sean Naughton already looks like a shining star. A member of the Connacht Academy for the last three years, the 21-year-old, in his own words has “kicked on a bit”, having made his debut in the European Challenge Cup against Zebre, and his first start against Benetton in the United Rugby Championship in the season opener in September.
From Kildare, Naughton grew up playing Gaelic Football, but his move to Kilkenny College changed all that. After taking up the oval ball, he knew he “always wanted to play rugby”.
He played Irish Schools and Irish 19s, but when it came to his future, Leinster looked loaded with potential out-halves.
As luck would have it Eric Elwood from Connacht made the call. It was before Naughton had finished his Leaving Cert. Being “open-minded” and with no “reliance to any province”, Naughton grabbed his opportunity to come west.
“The experience has been good. As an academy group, we're all pushing on a little bit, playing more minutes, being involved in more games, and I think ultimately, down the line, it makes us better and stronger.”
His attitude has helped, confessing when it came to rugby, he is “delighted to live it every single day”.
He does have big boots to fill, but he’s well on his way to establishing himself.
“I am getting used to the intensity of playing rugby, week-in, week-out. I know this is what I want to do.”
Although a natural sportsman, Naughton is still learning his way in professionalism.
“Between selection, going through periods when you feel you're playing well, and then something might happen, and your confidence falls, there are a lot of emotions that come flying around every week.”
“When you're an out-half, the amount of detail and mental load is probably quite a lot higher than some positions, so all of a sudden you're turning the page and thinking about next week, and then sometimes you probably miss the opportunity to relax a little bit,” he confesses.
Playing golf in Oughterard Golf Club helps, but ultimately Naughton’s focus is rugby.
“I want to be involved in as many games as possible. Senior matches obviously I’d love to be involved in - one of the big URC games and interpros - that is a massive goal. But at the moment just to be in the mix every week is a good place to be.”
