Connacht Rugby have confirmed that head coach Andy Friend will leave the province at the end of the season.
Friend is in his fifth season at Connacht, having spent four seasons as Head Coach before moving to a Director of Rugby role for the 2022/23 season.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Friend said: “My wife Kerri and I have made the decision that our time at Connacht Rugby will finish at the end of this season.
“This was always on the cards when I signed my two-year extension in 2021, and one that I discussed openly with Willie and Connacht Rugby.
“It’s certainly not an easy decision to make as we have both genuinely loved everything about our time here in the West of Ireland.
“From the minute we arrived we were welcomed with open arms and made to feel very much a part of the community and the rich history of the Club.”
Connacht Rugby will now begin the process to appoint a replacement for Andy and the Province says it will make a further announcement on the outcome of that process when in a position to do so.
