CONNACHT TODAY CONFIRMED that Andy Friend’s backroom team have signed two-year extensions to their existing deals and will remain at the Sportsground until 2021.
Friend, who arrived on a three-year deal ahead of this season, has overseen an impressive resurgence in the western province.
The Australian has continually attributed much of that success to his coaching team and the reward has come for attack coach Nigel Carolan, forwards coach Jimmy Duffy and defence coach Peter Wilkins.
Duffy, who has been in charge of the Connacht pack since 2015, said:
“We have made progress this season on all aspects of our game and are continuing to improve. There is even more potential in the squad and I believe that we can maximise that potential in the coming seasons.”
Highly-rated attack coach Carolan, who was previously in charge of Connacht’s academy and Ireland U20s, added:
“We have a very clear focus on where we are going as a team and a province, and we are determined to deliver further success in the seasons ahead. We pride ourselves on our attacking style and I am excited about the contribution I can make to that in the coming years.”
Head coach Friend, whose charges sit just five points behind Glasgow Warriors in Pro14 Conference A, said that securing his backroom team on fresh deals had been a priority.
“They are an exceptional team and one of the best collective groups I have worked with in my coaching career.
“Obviously a major priority for us has been to retain the services of these guys into the future and I am delighted that we are now in a position to announce this great news. We can now continue to focus on producing an exciting, attacking and ultimately winning brand of rugby for the seasons ahead.”
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While I would have been quite critical of them last season, I think the addition of Friend has really brought out the best in Carolan, Wilkins and Duffy. Duffy in particular has done a great job of making the Connacht set-piece a weapon for the province.
@EK: scrum has been exceptional at times. Carolan/friend has them playing some sexy rugby too. Getting bums on seats and growing the game well out wesht.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: what seats? Have you ever been to the sportsground?
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: although I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment things are looking up again out west after a couple of underwhelming seasons.
@Cian Cunniffe: have you? There are seats at the back of the Main Stand, there are seats in the Enclosed section of the Main Stand, there are seats in the Grant Thornton Stand, so about 500 in all…
I’ve no particular gra for Connacht but even I’m delighted by that news. Great signing.
@Jim Demps: Thanks for sharing that with us Jim
@Jim Demps: when did Munster last win anything?
@Juanito El Bueno: they won last weekend against Exeter, the weekend before against Gloucester, the weekend before against connacht and the weekend before that against Leinster. The results are all on the munster website.
@Jim Demps: Pretty sure he meant when did they last win a trophy. But don’t worry Jim, if you manage to get past Edinburgh I can see Munster getting all the way to a European semi final this year!
@Jim Demps: “I heard you’re a racist now Jim ” ;)
@Californialov3: well the farm takes up most of the day, and at night i just like a cup of tea, so i might not be able to devote meself full-time to the old racism but sur I’ll give it a go.
@Jim Demps: thank god you got it! Long live the craic!
@Californialov3: tis the only way to have it.
John Muldoon’s return postponed for another two years I am sure he had one eye on a coaching ticket!