Tom Farrell, Jarrad Butler and Tom Daly among 11 Connacht departures

Connacht have confirmed their list of departing players this summer, with Jarrad Butler, Tom Farrell and Tom Daly among 11 who will leave the Dexcom Stadium.

The province had previously announced the retirement of long-serving full-back Tiernan O'Halloran, as well as wing Diarmuid Kilgallen, who is to join Munster at the end of the season.

Farrell is also set to move to Munster this summer after Connacht opted not to renew his contract.

The 30-year-old has played 112 games for the province since joining from Bedford Blues in 2017, and has scored two tries in 13 appearances this season.

Butler leaves after seven years with the province. The Australian, who is Irish-qualified via residency, has played 128 games for Connacht, and was captain of the side between 2018 and 2022.

Daly moved to Connacht from Leinster, initially on loan, in January 2019, and the former Ireland Sevens captain quickly established himself as a first-team regular under Andy Friend.

The Carlow native earned an Ireland senior call-up in 2021, but after featuring mainly off the bench in the 2022/23 season, the 30-year-old has played just twice in the current campaign.

Also departing Connacht is second row Gavin Thornbury (below), with the 6ft 8in lock leaving after seven years in Galway.

The 30-year-old, who featured for Ireland A in 2022 against an All Black select XV, has been troubled with injuries in recent seasons.

Tighthead prop Dominic Robertson-McCoy, loosehead Matthew Burke, full-back Oran McNulty and hooker Tadgh McElroy will also move on at the end of the season, while scrum-half Michael McDonald will return to Ulster after completing his season-long loan.

The province have confirmed a 43-man squad for next season with nine new additions.

Matthew