THERE was widespread shock among the Connacht fanbase when it was confirmed out west that Matthew Devine would be leaving to join provincial rivals Ulster on a one-year deal midway through last season.
The scrum-half, now 24, had long been heralded as one of the province’s most exciting homegrown players in years. Devine had reportedly been targeted by La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara in 2025 before the Irish Rugby Football Union blocked the move. His stock has been high for quite some time.
Connacht were understood to have tabled a three-year deal, but Devine felt his long-term ambitions would be better served with a move to Belfast.
He is settling into life with Ulster and is in the midst of the province’s pre-season preparations. It will be strange for Connacht fans to see one of their brightest stars lining for one of their provincial rivals. Especially when the URC gets going at the end of September.
Devine was wanted by La Rochelle in France
After all, Devine was a product of Ballinasloe RFC, Garbally College and the Connacht Academy. Seeing one of their own leave the operation was a massive blow.
So, why has one of Connacht’s brightest prospects decided to head to a rival set-up, especially when his home province are riding the crest of a Stuart Lancaster-shaped wave.
Well, there were a few reasons. Devine was frustrated with a lack of top-level exposure.
He made his senior debut – away to Lyon in the Champions Cup in January 2024 – but consistent game-time was in short supply.
The 2024-25 campaign was a frustrating, stop-start affair. His 17-minute cameo from the bench against Ospreys was only his second appearance in 2026, two months after his last appearance, against Montauban in the Challenge Cup.
It was scraps from the table throughout the recent campaign. Of his 36 appearances for Connacht, only ten were starts.
Why was he so lightly raced? Connacht are well stocked with scrum-halves. Ireland international Caolin Blade is on the books. Ditto, Ben Murphy. Colm Reilly is highly rated as well.
Devine was frustrated by lack of games
Connacht have arguably the healthiest scrum-half depth in the country.
Devine decided to hitch his wagon to Ulster. The opportunity to work with Richie Murphy and Mark Sexton again was another big bargaining chip. Devine had played under both Ulster coaches during his time with the Ireland Under 20s four years ago.
Still, Devine’s impending exit has rankled with supporters. Indeed, Lancaster was forced to defend the province’s role in his imminent departure following his side’s storming URC win against the Ospreys in March, with Devine delivering a brilliant, match-winning cameo from the bench.
‘Ultimately I don’t have the final say, he does, so yeah of course we wanted him to stay,’ the Connacht head coach said.
‘(His younger brother) John’s been great and we’ve given him his opportunity, Mattie had a couple of injuries as well which hasn’t helped. 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.’
Connacht’s loss is very much Ulster’s gain. There are a lot of people within the game who feel Devine has the highest of ceilings and it would be no surprise if the Galway native usurps Nathan Doak as Ulster’s first-choice scrum-half down the line.
Because Devine offers something different. He possesses a rare quality in an Irish scrum-half: the ability to break the line and challenge defences.
Ulster’s first-choice No.9 Nathan Doak
There have been plenty of rapid half-backs with brilliant passing games. Peter Stringer and Craig Casey come to mind. There have been numerous intelligent operators who possess strong kicking games and savvy game management. Players like Doak, Luke McGrath and Kieran Marmion. Conor Murray, Tomás O’Leary and Michael Bradley were robust, physical scrum-halves who almost played like extra backrow forwards.
The only scrum-half who has represented Ireland who possesses that rare ability to terrorise opposition defences is Jamison Gibson-Park. And the Leinster star learned his trade in New Zealand, where all-action, line-breaking scrum-halves are all the rage these days.
We just don’t seem to produce those type of half-backs in Ireland. Devine looks like the kind of scrum-half who can break that mould. When Ulster announced his signing last season, they posted a highlights reel on social media of his box office moments for Connacht. And there are plenty of them.
Time and again, Devine sparks something with a sniping break or a scything running line. He is the kind of scrum-half who seeks out tired forwards on the fringes of rucks and senses an opportunity. His talent frees up space for other teammates on the field.
He has yet to break into the Ireland senior set-up but Andy Farrell is keeping close tabs on the young scrum-half. Devine has featured on Emerging Ireland tours and he was part of the Ireland XV team which was well beaten by England ‘A’ in Limerick back in February.
Devine is known for sniping breaks
The Ireland pecking order has been well established of late, with Casey backing up Gibson-Park.
Doak, who will be Devine’s main rival at Ulster, has nabbed third slot since Conor Murray hung up his boots a few years ago.
But if Devine gets some early momentum in the opening rounds of the new URC campaign, he may find himself in the international mix come the Nations Championship in November.
No one in Connacht will be surprised if that proves to be the case. They knew they were losing a good one.
