How Connacht Rugby's salaries look going into the new season
2025-26 marked a season of change for Connacht Rugby as former England head coach Stuart Lancaster took over the team and the new stand at Dexcom Stadium opened.
The Clan Stand expanded capacity at the stadium, formerly known as The Sportsground, to 12,500 and a record crowd attended Connacht's match versus Leinster in January to mark the official opening.
In addition to the three-tier, 6,500-capacity stand, the €40m redevelopment project also saw the construction of a high performance centre.
After finishing 13th in the United Rugby Championship (URC) in 2024-25, Lancaster managed to lift Connact to eighth last season.
After eight losses in their first 13 matches, Connacht won eight of their last nine to make the URC play-offs and secure a European Champions Cup place for next season.
In the Challenge Cup, the westerners were defeated by eventual winners Montpellier in the quarter-final.
Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen were called up to the Ireland squad for the recent Nations Championship fixtures after strong seasons.
They joined Bundee Aki, Cian Prendergast and Darragh Murray, who made his Six Nations debut earlier this year, in Andy Farrell's squad.
Next season, the team will be bolstered by the arrival of utility back Ciaran Frawley from Leinster on a two-year deal.
Aki and wing Mack Hansen, who was injured for Ireland's summer matches, are the only two Connacht players centrally contracted by the IRFU.
New Zealand-born Aki signed a one-year extension with the IRFU in March ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.
The 36-year-old joined Connacht in 2014 and helped the province to their only URC title in 2016 back when it was known as the Pro12 before making his Ireland debut the following year.
To date, he has made 71 appearances for Ireland, scored 19 tries and won three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams. He has also appeared on two tours for the British & Irish Lions.
Aki's salary rose to a reported €350,000 to €400,000 per year when he agreed a contract extension with Connacht in 2016.
He agreed his first central contract in 2019 before extending on three separate occasions. The deals are estimated to have been worth €450,000 to €650,000 per year.
Hansen agreed his first central contract in early 2025 in a deal that keeps him with Connacht to the end of 2026-27. His salary has been estimated at €200,000 to €300,000 per year.
Stuart Lancaster and Bundee Aki. (Pic: INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon)
The provinces contribute around 40% of centrally contracted players' wages, with the IRFU paying the remaining 60%.
The rest of the squad are likely paid between €60,000 and €200,000 per year based on their importance to the team and their international experience.
Photo: Connacht's Bundee Aki, Josh Ioane and Ben Murphy. (Pic: INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon)
