Paul Boyle admits he will follow Gordon D'Arcy's progress with the Wexford hurlers with interest - as he'd love a similar backroom role there himself some day.
New Wexford boss Darragh Egan has brought on board former Leinster and Ireland star D'Arcy and Billy Walsh, the USA's head boxing coach.
Like Connacht back row Boyle, D'Arcy and Walsh are both Wexford men.
The Model County have reached the Walsh Cup final this Saturday at Croke Park and Egan is full of praise for what D'Arcy has brought to the table in terms of his match-day experience and more.
Boyle started playing rugby as a schoolboy with Gorey before coming through Leinster's underage ranks and joining Connacht five years ago, but he also has deep GAA roots.
"I didn’t play with Wexford because I was always focused on the rugby, but I played hurling and football with Castletown," explained Boyle.
"In the hurling I was full-back or full-forward - the big mullocker in there - and then in football I was centre back or midfield.
"I would love to go in and help. I know a good few lads on the team.
"I can only speak on the crossover in the way GAA has helped me.
"It helps you with ball skills, motor skills, fitness is another big one. I always had just a general love for sport so I loved playing that as well and I still miss it.
"I had to give up around minor level. The crossover from rugby to GAA, we will need to wait to see what Gordon D’Arcy will bring.
"But it will be a bit of professionalism, maybe even a bit of relaxation because those GAA boys nearly go overboard on certain things.
"So I’d say he’ll bring a cool head to it and let them have their downtime and how professionals go about their business.
"Hopefully it will help Wexford and it will be interesting for us as onlookers to see how it goes because it’s an interesting move and something that hasn’t that hasn’t really been done that much before."
Boyle made his Ireland debut last summer, in Ireland's demolition of Japan, but didn't make the cut for the November series or the Six Nations.
Having made only four starts this season, he understands why that is the case.
But, having represented his country, he wants to do so again.
He will be looking to put in big performances for Connacht in this re-arranged block of URC fixtures and, come April, the westerners will go up against Leinster in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.
"If I look at the overall picture heading into the season I would be disappointed (at not being included now)," reflected the 25-year-old.
"But looking at it directly now, did I expect to get in? No. I haven’t been playing enough, a couple of injuries, a couple of dips in form, so I wasn’t expecting to get the call.
"But definitely that experience has driven me to want it again and to go again. I need to get back playing, get back playing well and then I have every chance of getting in. It’s about being ready and being in a better place than I was heading into last summer.
"International rugby passes you by quick enough if you don’t keep improving because particularly in the back row the competition is stiff and everyone seems to be improving at a massive rate of knots, and I have got to even beat that.
"So hopefully the opportunity comes this weekend, put in a good performance and start building it up from there."
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