Connacht's search for a successor to Pat Lam continues. Lam departs Connacht the end of the season to take over as head coach of Bristol, currently bottom of the Aviva Premiership.
Tony Brown, head coach of Super Rugby side the Highlanders, has already been ruled himself out as a candidate. He heads to Japan following the Super Rugby season where he will take up a role with the national side.
John McKee, who is currently head coach of Fiji, was linked with the Connacht job earlier this month, though, there has been no further news regarding his candidacy since.
Last week, Nigel Carolan, the Ireland U20s head coach, also ruled himself out as a contender.
Now, Franco Smith - head coach of Super Rugby side the Cheetahs - has revealed that he has also turned down an approach from Connacht.
The 44-year-old told South Africa outlet Netwerk24:
It’s true that I was contacted by Connacht in December, but I told them that I am committed to the Cheetahs.
Smith, who won nine caps for the Springboks, took over as Cheetahs head coach in 2015. He is expected to soon be named as Springboks backs coach.
