Forwards coach John Muldoon to leave Bristol at end of 2022/23 season

Bristol Bears have announced that forwards coach John Muldoon will be leaving the club at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Muldoon will be returning back to his hometown as he will take up the forwards coach with Irish province Connacht.

The 40-year-old, who racked up over 300 appearances for Connacht during his playing career between 2003 and 2018 joined Bristol's back room staff immediately after his playing career as a defence coach.

He was appointed the club's forwards coach in 2020 and helped them secure a maiden European title and a first-place finish in the Gallagher Premiership.

“I’m hugely grateful to Pat and the Lansdown family for giving me the opportunity to begin my coaching career," he told the club's official website.

"I’ve learned so much during my time with the Bears and have met some incredible people along the way.

“We’ve built our family over here and built some strong relationships on and off the field. I’m excited about what the future holds but there’s obviously a tinge of sadness around leaving the Bears.

“I’m looking forward to signing off my time here with a strong finish to the season.”