Matthew Devine has 'x-factor' to become key Connacht component, says Pete Wilkins

Pete Wilkins believes Matthew Devine is an "x-factor" player who has a big future at Connacht.

The 22-year-old scored two tries in his first start in his third appearance for the Westerners in last Saturday's 54-16 URC win over Zebre at Dexcom Stadium.

He made quite the impression as he opened Connacht’s account; alert to the opportunity, he quickly tapped a penalty before jinking in for his first senior try.

The former Ballinasloe RFC and Garbally College’s scrum-half's second, in the 24th minute, was even better.

Spotting a gap at a ruck over 40 metres out, Devine, who will step up to the senior ranks from next season, handed-off a prop forward among four defenders beaten on his way to the line.

"I was thrilled, we were all thrilled for Matthew," said Wilkins of the player of the match.

"We’ve seen his potential from early on.

"He’s been training with the senior squad full-time even though he’s been in the academy.

"It’s never been in doubt that he has those kind of x-factor moments in his game.

"He’s done his time learning, not just about the flow of the game at senior level but also working with the senior 10s and facilitating the team playing.

"And that’s always the challenge for these young guys, they haven’t had time in the saddle around game-management and relentlessness across the phases.

"I thought he handled that brilliantly. It was really nice that he got a couple of highlight moments to cap it all off."

A standout performer for Ireland U20s in their Grand Slam of 2022 – he scored four tries in five games – Devine (above) will push for another start against the Dragons on Saturday (8pm, live on RTÉ).

He’s in competition with Ireland scrum-half Caolin Blade, who has been one of Connacht’s most consistent players across an