Pete Wilkins says Connacht will do “everything possible” to ensure that Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen remain with the club.
Ireland centre Aki was linked with a move to Toulon last month but has a contract with the IRFU until 2026, while winger Hansen is out of contract at the end of the season.
New Zealand-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 centre Aki is 34 and has been at the club since 2014, making 142 appearances and earning 60 international caps, including one with the Lions.
Hansen joined the Westerners in 2021 and quickly established himself in the Ireland set-up. The 26-year-old Canberra native’s brace against Fiji last weekend brought his try tally to 12 in 24 games for Ireland.
Both players have been in Ireland camp since the start of November and will return to Connacht after Saturday’s final Autumn Nations Series game against Australia.
Last month, Wilkins said he was confident the Aki situation would have “a good resolution”.
“No news from my end and the IRFU with their plus one clause, and there’s no change in that from what we said a month ago,” Wilkins said when asked if there was any update.
“Without seeing Bundee face to face he seems pretty happy at the moment and all eyes are focussed on the Irish job.”
Asked if fans might be concerned about Hansen’s future with no official word on an extension yet, he said: “No, no reason to be worried at all.
“Again, a bit like the Bundee one, Mack’s settled and they are so important to us, the couple of guys we are talking about, the club would make sure we do everything possible to keep them here as long as possible so no, there are no concerns.
“He seems pretty happy to me and Galway loves him as much as he loves Galway so I hope that continues.”
Connacht, fifth in the URC, announced on Monday that 20-year-old centre Hugh Gavin would be out until mid-February after undergoing leg surgery for an injury sustained in their win over Dragons at the end of last month.
“We knew there was an ankle injury and there was a small fracture of the leg as well, that’s what’s required the surgery,” said Wilkins ahead of Saturday’s URC round-seven game against Bulls in Galway .
“Hugh’s got his head around it, he’s a very intelligent young man, he’s very mature for his age.
“What we’ve tried to reinforce is the positive impression he’s made in the opening part of the season.
“He’s up on bricks for a while but it’s from a positive position and he’ll get more opportunity as the season goes on.”
Meanwhile, Wilkins said his team are excited about the possibility of playing their derby game against Munster in March at MacHale Park, in Castlebar, Mayo.
Over the last few years, Leinster have played games at Croke Park, Munster have been in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, while Ulster played at Kingspan Breffni Stadium in Cavan last year.
“I’m aware there’s been exploratory discussions going on, above my head, CEO, board level, conversations being had with Mayo GAA and the Munster game is one of the options,” said Wilkins.
“Our reaction as coaches and players is one of excitement. It’s a little way off coming together as a plan but the prospect of it is brilliant.
“To go to a historic venue of that size, taking the game to another part of the province is a really good opportunity.
“To be playing in front of whatever crowd we would get up there – as great as the atmosphere has been here at the Dexcom with the reduced [capacity] – to go and play somewhere larger, where we get an opportunity for more supporters from a different part of the province to come and watch us would be brilliant.
“We’ve seen the success of games taken to GAA venues by other provinces. If it does happen we’d be right behind the idea but there’s a bit of road to go yet.”
