Pat Lam to leave Connacht at end of the season

10:17 AM GMT

• 

  Tom HamiltonRugby Editor

  Close

  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Grew up in Bath but has New Zealand roots
  • Covered England's tour of New Zealand in 2014 and Australia in 2016
  • Was ESPN's man on the ground for the 2013 British & Irish Lions series and Rugby World Cup 2015

Connacht head coach Pat Lam will leave the province at the end of the season.

The news will come as a huge blow to the PRO12 side. Lam was the inspiration behind their charge to the Guinness PRO12 title last term but leaves Connacht to take up a new role elsewhere.

"This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make in my life as Connacht and Galway is such a special place for myself and my family," Lam said. "The friendships, support and memories we all have experienced throughout our time in the West of Ireland is truly heartfelt and will never be forgotten.

"I feel extremely blessed to have been given an opportunity four years ago to build on the excellent work of Eric Elwood. I'm very proud that I can now pass on the baton with the knowledge that Connacht Rugby is truly seen as one of four strong provinces of Irish rugby.

"Rugby should never be about the individual as players and coaches will always come and go. We have worked hard to have the structures and systems in place to ensure the future success of the province for our community. I truly believe that through our strategic plan and the vision of Grassroots to Green Shirts, Connacht Rugby is in an extremely strong place going forward.

"There is a lot of rugby to be played between now and the end of the season and myself, our management team and the players are fully committed to our goals on and off the pitch. We are heading in to Champions Cup rugby this week on the back of so much hard work over the last number of years. We want to continue to inspire our community and we have many more opportunities on and off the field to do that this season."

More to follow...

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Pat Lam to leave Connacht at end of the season