Connacht poach Leinster star as replacement for Robbie Henshaw

Maybe he can high-five Robbie Henshaw on his way out of the RDS.

Connacht's crazy season is not over yet but, regardless of how their PRO12 campaign ends, they will be saying goodbye to their favourite son at the end of the season. Henshaw made the decision to join Leinster in February (who currently trail second-placed Connacht with a game to go) but the Westerners are planning for life without the Ireland international by signing Cian Kelleher from the three-time European champions. The 21-year-old age grade Ireland international is an established full-back, who can also play at centre... sound like anyone? The Leinster academy graduate has made seven appearances in the PRO12 for the province (one start), scoring a tremendous try against Zebre in February. The road from Dublin to Galway is a well-worn one of course, with the likes of Fionn Carr and Jason Harris-Wright leaving Leinster for first-team opportunities at the Sportsgrounds. However it seems Kelleher turned down an offer from Leinster to make the move west and Connacht head coach Pat Lam is confident that the utility back has that most ubiquitous and irritating of rugby qualities... X-factor.

"It's great to have someone with Cian's versatility joining our squad for next season. As a full-back who can also play on the wing and outside centre, his arrival will bring more competition and depth in the backs as we prepare for Champions Cup rugby," said Lam. "He showed real X-factor qualities with some of the tries he scored as well those he set up for his team-mates. With the way we train and play the game I have no doubt he will be able to showcase his ability on the Pro12 and Champions Cup stage to chase his big goal of representing Ireland."

If Simon Cowell could identify X-factor as readily as modern rugby coaches and pundits then there would be far fewer heartbroken fame whores on that TV talent show. The perfect end to Connacht's season would be PRO12 glory but taking a talented young player away from Leinster without their blessing as revenge for Henshaw, that's pretty good for starters.