Connacht has lost another member of its staff to Bristol Rugby.
Both Bristol and Connacht announced this morning that backs coach Conor McPhillips will join Pat Lam at the English club next season.
McPhillips told Bristol's club website that his 'close relationship' with Pat Lam was an influence on his decision.
It’s an exciting new chapter for me and my family to come to Bristol and contribute to the Club’s vision going forward.
I have a close relationship with Pat [Lam] and enjoy being part of an environment that inspires confidence and belief in individuals to become better players and better people.
Bristol have an exciting array of talent in their squad and I’m relishing the opportunity to work with them.
McPhillips played with Connacht between 2003 and 2008 before joining the backroom team, first as head of performance analysis and then moving into the coaching.
The 36-year-old became an assistant attack coach last season and was this season named backs coach following Andre Bell's return to New Zealand.
McPhillips said working with Connacht had been an 'incredibly rewarding' part of his career.
I have many great memories after 15 years with Connacht Rugby, as a player, performance analyst and coach. 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.
Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
