Connacht confirm new coaching structure for 2021/22 season

Connacht Rugby have made changes to the coaching structure ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Peter Wilkins, who joined the club as a defence coach in 2017 will be appointed as a senior coach. He had previously worked as a performance analyst with Queensland Reds, coaching coordinator and also head coach of Queensland Reds A team for three seasons.

Meanwhile, Mossy Lawler, who played for Munster and Wasps started his coaching career with Bohemians and after six years as Elite Player Development Officer in the Connacht Academy and four years as Head Coach for the Connacht Eagles, he will now be appointed as Assistant Attack & Skills Coach.

Colm Tucker, who is working as forwards in the Connacht Academy and as Forwards and Defence Coach for the Connacht Eagles will take up the role as Defence & Forwards Technical Skills Coach with the Irish regional club.

“This is really exciting development for Connacht Rugby. Firstly with Peter as our new Senior Coach we have someone who has been a crucial part of the coaching team since my arrival," said head coach Andy Friend to the official website of the club.

Pete has an incredible knowledge of the game and has built up a wealth of experience across the PRO14 and Super Rugby. I know he will thrive in his new role of implementing strategies across a number of areas of our programme.

I’m equally pleased to welcome Colm and Mossy into our coaching setup from next season. I’ve always believed in strong integration between the Pro and Academy environments, so we’ve been working closely together the past few years.

"Like Nigel and Jimmy before them when they first became Pro coaches, they have worked their way through the coaching ranks here and have played a major part in the development of the many young players we have in our squad. Their appointments will allow for even greater continuity as we continue to develop our homegrown talent.

We’ve also started the process of recruiting a new Forwards Coach so I’m very excited by what we as a coaching team can achieve in the years ahead.”