Latest news with #CONNACHT
The Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Connacht appoint Stuart Lancaster as head coach
CONNACHT HAVE APPOINTED Stuart Lancaster as the province's new head coach on a two-year deal. The coaching coup sees Lancaster, 55, return to Irish rugby having previously spent seven years at Leinster, where he helped the province to a Champions Cup title as well as a Pro14 four-in-a-row. Lancaster, who coached England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, was most recently the director of rugby at Racing 92 in France's Top 14 before parting company with the Parisian giants in February. He will take charge out west ahead of pre-season training in July, and will take responsibility for Connacht's defence as well as his overall head coaching role. The appointment completes Connacht's coaching ticket, which also includes the incoming Rod Seib as attack coach, Cullie Tucker as scrum and contact coach, and John Muldoon as lineout and maul coach. 'I'm hugely excited to be joining Connacht Rugby and begin this new chapter of my life in the West of Ireland with my wife Nina,' Lancaster said on Tuesday. 'Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base, and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I'm honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Professional Men's team programme. 'I'm a firm believer in creating an environment that enables players to thrive and realise their potential, while playing a brand of rugby that inspires the community of which they represent. Advertisement 'Ever since my initial conversations with Willie [Ruane, Connacht CEO], David [Humphreys, IRFU performance director] and the rest of the selection committee, it's clear that same belief exists here in Connacht, and that's why I'm so excited by this opportunity.' Humphreys welcomed Lancaster's appointment as 'a significant coup and a real statement of intent' for Connacht. 'Stuart is a hugely talented coach with a proven track record in developing young talent and in delivering high performing and successful teams. 'It was clear in the recruitment process of his knowledge and enthusiasm for Irish Rugby and this appointment will be a huge boost to the game in Ireland.' Connacht CEO Ruane hailed Lancaster as 'one of the most respected coaches in world rugby'. 'We are absolutely thrilled to appoint someone of his calibre. He has a proven track record in developing young talent, building a high-performance environment, and most importantly, delivering success and helping teams realise their ambitions. 'His coaching philosophy and his vision for how the game should be played, perfectly matches our own values and our own ambition.' Written by Niall Kelly and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The 42
5 days ago
- Business
- The 42
Connacht appoint Stuart Lancaster as head coach
CONNACHT HAVE APPOINTED Stuart Lancaster as the province's new head coach on a two-year deal. The coaching coup sees Lancaster, 55, return to Irish rugby having previously spent seven years at Leinster, where he helped the province to a Champions Cup title as well as a Pro14 four-in-a-row. Lancaster, who coached England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, was most recently the director of rugby at Racing 92 in France's Top 14 before parting company with the Parisian giants in February. He will take charge out west ahead of pre-season training in July, and will take responsibility for Connacht's defence as well as his overall head coaching role. The appointment completes Connacht's coaching ticket, which also includes the incoming Rod Seib as attack coach, Cullie Tucker as scrum and contact coach, and John Muldoon as lineout and maul coach. 'I'm hugely excited to be joining Connacht Rugby and begin this new chapter of my life in the West of Ireland with my wife Nina,' Lancaster said on Tuesday. 'Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base, and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I'm honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Professional Men's team programme. Advertisement 'I'm a firm believer in creating an environment that enables players to thrive and realise their potential, while playing a brand of rugby that inspires the community of which they represent. 'Ever since my initial conversations with Willie [Ruane, Connacht CEO], David [Humphreys, IRFU performance director] and the rest of the selection committee, it's clear that same belief exists here in Connacht, and that's why I'm so excited by this opportunity.' Humphreys welcomed Lancaster's appointment as 'a significant coup and a real statement of intent' for Connacht. 'Stuart is a hugely talented coach with a proven track record in developing young talent and in delivering high performing and successful teams. 'It was clear in the recruitment process of his knowledge and enthusiasm for Irish Rugby and this appointment will be a huge boost to the game in Ireland.' Connacht CEO Ruane hailed Lancaster as 'one of the most respected coaches in world rugby'. 'We are absolutely thrilled to appoint someone of his calibre. He has a proven track record in developing young talent, building a high-performance environment, and most importantly, delivering success and helping teams realise their ambitions. 'His coaching philosophy and his vision for how the game should be played, perfectly matches our own values and our own ambition.'
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ireland star Mack Hansen reveals raw emotion of British and Irish Lions selection as player admits it was all too much
CONNACHT ace Mack Hansen has revealed that he broke down in tears after hearing his name called for the British and Irish Lions squad. The 2 Andy Farrell surprised a lot of fans and pundits by naming Mack Hansen in the Lions squad 2 The Ireland and Connacht winger admitted that he was bawling after the announcement The winger admitted that he's a big fan of the But he says the wait to find out was almost unbearable, so he decided to go for a swim to ease his nerves during the announcement at the O2 Arena in London. Speaking with former Ireland stars Tommy Bowe and Donncha O'Callaghan on their "Then when I came back, they finally started reading the names," read more on rugby "And then once my name was read out, I just started bawling crying straight away. It's one of the best feelings I've ever had in my entire life. "Tears were flowing, mate. Absolutely flowing. And I called my mum back straight away, and they were very much the same. Like, it was, yeah, incredible." Hansen insisted he has no idea that he would be name on the touring side, despite some sceptics. He added: "Genuinely, nobody has an idea. So many people since the announcement were like, 'surely they were given a heads-up'. But we just don't know, and it could go either way. I mean, it just does make it that little bit more special. Most read in Rugby Union "I think it's really cool, and it's obviously very exciting. But at the same time, I just wanted to know. "I would have loved a little message just saying, 'yeah', like a thumbs up going, you're in. And then you can actually enjoy it." Andy Farrell picks Simon Easterby among British & Irish Lions coaching team Hansen says he previously tried to ring boss Andy Farrell during a night out with The winger said: "I thought it would be a great idea to ring Faz and a couple of the staff and have a chat to them. "Faz didn't pick up, and in typical fashion, he didn't reply. I messaged him in the morning to say sorry for calling but he didn't message me back. "When I got his face tattooed on me, he opened the pic I sent and then didn't reply for like three hours. "And then he comes back going, 'oh, mate, I love it, it's great'. And I was like, why didn't you just reply to me straight away then?" When asked why Farrell resonates so strongly with his players, Hansen had high praise for the Lions and Ireland head coach. "The best way to describe it is just that he just gets it. He just gets everything." Hansen went on to add that Farrell's speeches and motivational skills are incredible. The Lions boss is infamous for his 'hurt arena' speech during the 2013 tour vs Australia. He added: "You get some amount of energy off Faz's speeches or just him being around the place." Ireland players included in Andy Farrell's Lions squad: Jamison Gibson-Park Garry Ringrose Bundee Aki James Lowe Mack Hansen Dan Sheehan Josh van der Flier Jack Conan Tadhg Beirne Tadhg Furlong Andrew Porter Hugo Keenan Ronan Kelleher Joe McCarthy James Ryan
The 42
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Connacht confirm departure of defence coach Scott Fardy
CONNACHT HAVE CONFIRMED that defence coach Scott Fardy will leave the province at the end of the season. Fardy's departure was widely expected after a season in which Connacht's defence has proven a major weakness, with the westerners missing out on a URC play-off berth and Champions Cup rugby for 2025/26. Advertisement Connacht, who are also currently seeking to hire a head coach to replace Pete Wilkins, said in a statement that 'the club will provide a further update on next season's coaching team over the coming weeks'. Former Leinster and Wallabies forward Fardy joined Connacht in 2023 having previously coached with the Green Rockets in Japan and back in Australia with his former Shute Shield club, Warringah. After a difficult two campaigns, Fardy will become the third Connacht coach to depart this year, with former boss Pete Wilkins — now Benetton-bound — departing the province last month and attack coach Mark Sexton switching to Ulster. 'Everyone at Connacht would like to thank him for all his contributions in his two years with us', said the Connacht statement on Fardy, 'and we wish him and his family every happiness in the future.' Connacht have already confirmed the appointment of Australian Rob Seib as senior assistant coach for next season, while fellow Aussie Billy Millard will join from Harlequins in the newly formed role of general manager. It's understood that Seib will focus on attack, while Connacht must now also appoint a successor to Fardy to steer their defence having initially hoped that Wilkins would fulfil that role in a reshuffle of the province's coaching duties.
The 42
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Aki set for 150th cap as Connacht take on Edinburgh
CONNACHT HAVE NAMED the team that will take on Edinburgh in tomorrow's URC clash at Dexcom Stadium [Kick-off, 7.35pm]. Bundee Aki, who was selected for the Lions squad this week, is set to make his 150th appearance for the club in his usual midfield spot. He will partner up with Hugh Gavin. JJ Hanrahan starts at 10 in what will be his final home game for the club as Jack Carty misses out due to a minor ankle issue. Advertisement Santiago Cordero, Shayne Bolton and Finn Treacy make up the back three with Ben Murphy starting at scrum-half. Experienced front rowers Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham all return after missing the last game against the Lions, while Josh Murphy and Darragh Murray slot into the second row. Cian Prendergast captains the side on the flank, with Conor Oliver on the opposite side and Sean Jansen at number 8. 🟢 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 🦅 For the last time in Dexcom Stadium this season 👊 🧢 Cap 150 for Bundee 💪 Front row returns for Denis, Heff and Finlay 🔗 | @Genesys — Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) May 9, 2025 Connacht XV v Edinburgh 15. Santiago Cordero (20) 14. Shayne Bolton (24) 13. Hugh Gavin (9) 12. Bundee Aki (149) 11. Finn Treacy (6) 10. JJ Hanrahan (27) 9. Ben Murphy (14) 1. Denis Buckley (263) 2. Dave Heffernan (217) 3. Finlay Bealham (217) 4. Josh Murphy (37) 5. Darragh Murray (37) 6. Cian Prendergast (85) Captain 7. Conor Oliver (95) 8. Sean Jansen (24) Replacements 16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (56) 17. Peter Dooley (52) 18. Jack Aungier (86) 19. Oisín Dowling (76) 20. Paul Boyle (114) 21. Caolin Blade (208) 22. Cathal Forde (50) 23. David Hawkshaw (42)
