Eoghan Masterson among seven released by Connacht

Connacht have confirmed the release of seven additional players at the end of the season, including experienced back row Eoghan Masterson.

The 29-year-old will depart the province after nine seasons, having played 118 times in green.

He's among seven players who the province this afternoon confirmed would be leaving after the final URC game against Zebre next week. Ultan Dillane, Sammy Arnold, Abraham Papali'i, Tietie Tuimauga and Matt Healy had previously announced their exits.

Dillane, Arnold, Papali'i and Tuimauga are all moving to France, while 33-year-old Healy revealed last week that he would retire at the end of the campaign.

Of the additional names released by Connacht this afternoon, Masterson is the most high-profile.

The versatile forward had been a key player for Andy Friend in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns, playing 19 games in each, but he's featured just eight times this season, with the emergence of Cian Prendergast impacting his game time.

It's not yet been confirmed if Masterson has signed for another club, but he has previously been linked with a move to Scotland. The flanker is Scottish-qualified through his mother, and played Under-20 rugby for both the Scots and Ireland.

Peter Robb will also move on when his contract expires next month. The centre was just 21 years old when he started Connacht's 2016 Pro12 final win against Leinster, but has struggled to establish himself as a regular in recent seasons. The Dubliner will hope to make his 50th and final appearance for Connacht in the season finale against Zebre.

Tighthead Dominic Robertson-McCoy is confirmed to be leaving after six years in Galway, during which time he's made 72 appearances, while front rows Greg McGrath and Jonny Murphy, and wings Ben