Mack Hansen has spent the week talking about the lift that Stuart Lancaster has brought to Connacht. The harder proof of the province’s intent came with the retention of one of their most important forwards.
Jarrad Butler and Darragh Murray have both carried leadership duties for Connacht in recent seasons, but Jansen has become central to the team’s forward power. His new deal keeps a South African born Ireland international in Galway at a time when Connacht are trying to turn fresh coaching energy into a better finish in the United Rugby Championship.
A meaningful signature
Jansen joined Connacht in 2021 and has made 76 appearances for the province. He has also won six Ireland caps since qualifying through residency.
The 26 year old said that the work of the new coaching group made staying an easy call. He described Lancaster, who joined Connacht as head coach this season, as someone who had brought real detail and fresh energy to the place.
That matters because Connacht have not lacked for talent or noise around the Sportsground. They have lacked the consistency to make the business end of the URC feel normal. Keeping a front five player who can carry, defend and set a physical tone is a better starting point than another reset.
Lancaster needs a forward platform
Lancaster arrives with a reputation built on demanding standards and clearer roles. Hansen said the squad had bought into the work, while Jansen spoke about the excitement around the new regime. Nice words are cheap in September. The early URC rounds will show whether Connacht can make them count.
Jansen’s contract does not solve every question in Galway. It does give Lancaster a dependable piece of the pack around which to build. For a province looking to make its home ground difficult again, that is proper news.
Reporting: Connacht Rugby, RTÉ Sport