Matthew Devine, a highly-touted scrum-half, has joined provincial rivals Ulster on a one-year contract, a move that has caused considerable surprise among the Connacht fanbase. Devine, 24, was considered one of Connacht's most promising homegrown players, with his stock having been high for some time. He was reportedly targeted by French club La Rochelle for the 2025 season, but the Irish Rugby Football Union blocked that potential transfer.
While Connacht offered Devine a three-year contract, he determined that a move to Belfast would better serve his long-term career aspirations. He is currently integrating into Ulster's preseason preparations, and his presence in a rival squad is expected to be a notable sight for Connacht fans when the United Rugby Championship (URC) season commences at the end of September. Devine's rugby journey began with Ballinasloe RFC, Garbally College, and the Connacht Academy, making his departure a significant loss for the province.
Reasons for Departure
Devine's decision to leave stemmed from frustration over a perceived lack of top-level exposure at Connacht. Despite making his senior debut in January 2024 against Lyon in the Champions Cup, consistent game time was limited. The 2024-25 season was described as stop-start, with only two appearances in 2026, the most recent being a 17-minute cameo against the Ospreys. Throughout his tenure at Connacht, he made 36 appearances, but only ten of those were starts.
Connacht's depth at scrum-half is considered strong, featuring Ireland international Caolin Blade, Ben Murphy, and the highly-rated Colm Reilly, which contributed to Devine's limited opportunities. The chance to work again with Ulster coaches Richie Murphy and Mark Sexton, with whom Devine had previously worked during his time with the Ireland Under 20s four years prior, was also a significant factor in his decision.
Despite the circumstances of his departure, Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster defended the province's handling of the situation. He acknowledged wanting Devine to stay and noted that the player had experienced some injuries, but ultimately conceded that Devine had chosen to leave. "Ultimately I don’t have the final say, he does, so yeah of course we wanted him to stay," Lancaster stated. "We’ve got four very good scrum-halves, we are very lucky. Do we want him to leave? No, but he’s chosen to do that."
Devine's Potential and Future Prospects
Devine is recognized for a rare quality among Irish scrum-halves: the ability to break defensive lines. While many Irish scrum-halves excel in passing or kicking games, Devine possesses a running threat reminiscent of players like Jamison Gibson-Park, who learned his trade in New Zealand, where such dynamic scrum-halves are more common. Devine has demonstrated this ability through numerous impactful moments for Connacht, often creating opportunities with sniping breaks or running lines that exploit defenses and open up space for teammates.
Although Devine has yet to be called up to the senior Ireland squad, head coach Andy Farrell is reportedly monitoring his progress. Devine has participated in Emerging Ireland tours and was part of the Ireland XV team that faced England 'A' in February. The current Ireland scrum-half pecking order typically sees Craig Casey as backup to Gibson-Park, with Nathan Doak, Devine's new teammate at Ulster, having secured the third spot. However, strong performances from Devine early in the URC campaign could position him for consideration for the national team in the lead-up to the Nations Championship in November.