Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins leaves with immediate effect

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

Wilkins, who has been with Connacht in a number of roles since 2017, has been on sick leave for the past number of weeks.

He joined as defence coach, before moving to the senior coach with responsibility for attack in 2021.

After being appointed Director of Rugby in 2022, Wilkins took over from Andy Friend as head coach in 2023.

In a statement, he said: "“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my departure from Connacht Rugby – the club and province that I have been so proud to call home for the last eight years.

During this season, I have been having some very open and honest discussions about my future at the club. Although incredibly privileged to have been given the responsibility of leading the rugby programme here, the longer I have spent in the role, the further away I have found myself from the aspects of coaching not only that I most enjoy, but also that allow me to contribute most effectively to the team.

As such, I have made the decision that it is best for the club, myself, and most importantly my family, that I step away with immediate effect. In doing so, the club and I agree it gives our players, staff and supporters clarity for the remainder of the season, and myself the opportunity to focus on returning to full health before my next coaching challenge.

I am very grateful to all of the players that have worked so hard and been so eager to learn during this time, as well as the pro team staff who have given me such great support and friendship. To the wider staff of Connacht Rugby, the authenticity, pride, commitment and sense of humour that you bring to your work every day has always been an inspiration to me."

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