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AJ MacGinty is headed to the Aviva Premiership. The US Eagles flyhalf will leave Connacht at the end of the Guinness Pro 12 season and move to Manchester, England, to play for Sale Sharks. MacGinty signed for the Irish province following the World Cup and has proven a quality signing, but the addition of South African international Marnitz Boshoff ahead of next season meant that Connacht could not offer him a contract renewal.
Sale Director of Rugby Steve Diamond expressed his excitement over the signing in a media release.
“We were alerted to AJ during the World Cup and we have been watching his performances at Connacht. He is great in defence and has an 80% success rate kicking his points. I am sure that when he works with Paul Deacon here at Sharks he will become the finished article. He will be a great addition to the squad and we are looking forward to AJ joining us pre-season.”
The 26-year-old replaces outgoing England star Danny Cipriani at Sharks, and is likely to have competition for the flyhalf position from Italian international Carlo Canna, heavily linked to Sale by multiple media sources. Currently in 7th spot on the Premiership table, Sharks have made a number of key signings ahead of next season including former England hooker Rob Webber, South African lock Juandré Kruger, and rugby league star Josh Charnley, whose arrival was announced just a day earlier.
MacGinty will not be the first Eagles playmaker to arrive at Sale. Former flyhalf Michael Hercus spent two seasons at the club starting in 2003, while World Cup halfback partner Mike Petri had a brief stay in 2010 before moving to Newport Gwent Dragons.
The length of MacGinty’s contract has not been revealed.
