Connacht statement: New boss named to succeed Andy Friend

Connacht have decided who will succeed the homeward-bound Andy Friend, naming Pete Wilkins to take over on a three-year deal when the Australian exits Galway at the end of the 2022/23 season. It was November 14 when the URC club admitted they would lose their director of rugby following his fifth season in charge.

That announcement sparked a replacement search that has now concluded three months later with the appointment of Wilkins, who was already working as head coach under Friend after climbing the ranks from defence coach to senior coach looking after the Connacht attack.

A statement read: “Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are delighted to announce the appointment of Pete Wilkins as head coach, assuming overall responsibility for the professional team from next season.

“Following a thorough recruitment process, Wilkins signed a three-year deal and will lead a new coaching team which will be confirmed in the coming weeks. He first joined Connacht in 2017, arriving as defence coach, a role which he would fulfil for four seasons.

“In the summer of 2021, he was promoted to the role of senior coach with primary responsibility for attack.

“Following Andy Friend’s move to director of rugby in 2022, he became head coach, assuming greater responsibility for more of the on-pitch elements of the rugby programme. He was also invited to join the Irish coaching team for the tour of New Zealand last summer, culminating in the historic series win.”

Connacht CEO Willie Ruane said: "Following a thorough process run in conjunction with the IRFU, Pete emerged as the successful candidate to lead our professional rugby setup over the next three years. He is an excellent coach with extensive knowledge of the club and wider province and understands the needs of our squad and our system to help drive the success we are all striving for.

“He has demonstrated considerable growth as a coach and as a leader throughout his time here at Connacht and we believe he is the right person to now take the group forward."