Ealing gig for Kerins

RUGBY: Sligo’s Stephen Kerins has signed for London’s Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club, who play in the RFU Championship, English rugby’s second tier.

The talented scrumhalf, 25, pictured, was released by Connacht Rugby along with another Sligo native, Cillian Gallagher, whose 2020-21 campaign was blighted by injury.

Gallagher, a 24-yearold flanker, has made 15 appearances for his province at professional level. Kerins, a former Ireland U-20 player, made two appearances for Connacht in the 2020-21 season and 11 appearances in all.

The playmaker, who began his career with Sligo RFC, is looking forward to his new adventure.

“The brand of rugby played [by Ealing] and the club’s ambitions have been real deciding factors for me. I’m excited to get there and give it my best,” Kerins told his new club’s website, www. ealingtrailfinders.com. In recent months Kerins had a short-term loan spell at Bristol Bears, a club in England’s Premiership. Ealing have a two-legged play-off coming up against Saracens

– the winner will be promoted to next season’s top flight.