Huge coaching blow for Connacht ahead of Stormers clash
Connacht and the IRFU have confirmed that head coach Pete Wilkins has decided to step down with immediate effect.
The Irish outfit is set to face the Stormers in a crucial Round 15 United Rugby Championship clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The shocking news could not have come at a worse time as the 13th-placed Connacht is chasing a top-eight finish with four rounds to go in the URC. There are merely four points between them and the sixth-placed Ulster.
They also have injury struggles with Ireland stars Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki, joined on the sidelines by Caolin Blade, Josh Ioane, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Denis Buckley and Finn Treacy.
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Pete Wilkins has released the following statement:
“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my departure from Connacht – the club and province that I have been so proud to call home for the last eight years.
“During this season, I have been having some very open and honest discussions about my future at the club.
“Although incredibly privileged to have been given the responsibility of leading the rugby programme here, the longer I have spent in the role, the further away I have found myself from the aspects of coaching not only that I most enjoy but also that allow me to contribute most effectively to the team.
“As such, I have decided that it is best for the club, myself, and most importantly my family, that I step away with immediate effect.
“In doing so, the club and I agree it gives our players, staff and supporters clarity for the remainder of the season, and myself the opportunity to focus on returning to full health before my next coaching challenge.
I am very grateful to all of the players that have worked so hard and been so eager to learn during this time, as well as the pro team staff who have given me such great support and friendship.
“To the wider staff of Connacht, the authenticity, pride, commitment and sense of humour that you bring to your work every day has always been an inspiration to me.
“To the Connacht supporters, it has been the most incredible privilege to have had this opportunity to be part of the Connacht family.
“This is a very special club, in an incredibly special part of the world.
“Beyond rugby, Galway has become our family home, and Sarah, Harry, Oscar, and I have been blessed with the friendships and care that the wonderful people of Barna and the wider province have offered us.”
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