Connacht stalwart John Muldoon has been confirmed as Connacht captain for the upcoming season.

The 31-year-old has played 222 times for his province since making his senior debut in 2004 and returns to a position that he previously first held from 2009 to 2011.

The multi-talented back rower recently signed a new two-year contract that will see him play with Connacht until at least the summer of 2016.

Commenting on the captaincy, Muldoon said: "I'm delighted to be named captain this year. It's a huge honour to captain my home province. It's been three years since I was last captain and a lot has changed since then so I'm thrilled to have been asked again."