Wilkins steps down as Connacht head coach

Pete Wilkins has stepped down arsenic caput coach of Connacht pinch "a dense heart" aft Saturday's Challenge Cup conclusion by Racing 92.

The French broadside came retired connected apical in a 43-40 thriller successful Galway to book their spot successful nan semi-finals.

Wilkins spent 8 years astatine Connacht, who are 13th successful nan United Rugby Championship table, and became caput coach successful 2023.

"During this season, I person been having immoderate very unfastened and honorable discussions astir my early astatine nan club.," Wilkins said successful a statement.

"Although incredibly privileged to person been fixed nan work of starring nan rugby programme here, nan longer I person spent successful nan role, nan further distant I person recovered myself from nan aspects of coaching not only that I astir enjoy, but besides that let maine to lend astir efficaciously to nan team."

Wilkins joined Conacht successful 2017 arsenic defence coach and he moved into nan domiciled of elder coach successful nan 2021-22 campaign.

The pursuing twelvemonth he became caput coach nether head of rugby Andy Friend arsenic Connacht reached nan semi-finals of nan United Rugby Championship and successful 2023 he took afloat power aft nan departure of Friend.

Connacht opportunity Cullie Tucker will stay arsenic interim caput coach for nan remainder of nan play and nan state will statesman nan process of recruiting a caller caput coach for adjacent season.

David Humphreys, head of capacity astatine nan Irish Rugby Football Union said Wilkins had "contributed an tremendous magnitude of maturation of nan game" successful Connacht.

"Irish Rugby owes him a indebtedness of gratitude for his dedication and committedness to nan province," added Humphreys.

"A value coach and respected fig successful Irish rugby, Pete tin retrieve his clip successful Connacht pinch pride, and I dream that he will proceed to advancement his coaching profession successful nan years to come."