Connacht have announced that their backs coach Conor McPhillips is to follow Pat Lam's footsteps and move to Bristol next season.
McPhillips will finish in his role with the club at the end of the current season. The former Ireland A player, played with the province from 2003 to 2008. He will become an assistant coach with Bristol.
"I have many great memories after 15 years with Connacht Rugby, as a player, performance analyst and coach", McPhillips said, on the news of his impending departure. "It was with Connacht that I got my first opportunity to move in to coaching and it’s been an incredibly rewarding time working as part of the backroom team."
“The relationships I’ve built here and the friends I’ve made will be what I miss most but I feel the time is right to challenge myself as a coach in a new environment."
“We have hugely important games coming up for Connacht and I remain fully focused on our team goals and look forward to a strong finish to the season."
"I’d like to thank Conor for all the work he’s done with Connacht over the last number of years and wish him and his family the very best in their move to England during the summer", Connacht CEO Willie Ruane added.
Earlier this week, New Zealander Kieran Keane was named as Connacht's new head coach. He will replace Pat Lam this summer.
Connacht currently lie in eighth place in the PRO12. They play Treviso in Italy on Sunday.
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