Pat Lam leaving Connacht at the end of the season

Connacht have just confirmed that Pat Lam has announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the 2016/17 season.

Commenting on the news, Pat said: “This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make in my life as Connacht and Galway is such a special place for myself and my family...Rugby should never be about the individual as players and coaches will always come and go. We have worked hard to have the structures and systems in place to ensure the future success of the province for our community."

Connacht CEO Willie Ruane added: “Firstly I’d like to thank Pat for everything he has done for Connacht Rugby. He led the province to a first ever trophy and that will be something that will live long in the memory. While there is a lot of rugby yet to be played this season, we wish Pat, Steph and their family the very best in the next chapter of their lives.

“As a club, we will immediately engage with our Professional Games Board and the IRFU with respect to starting the process of recruiting our next head coach.”

The former Samoa captain, currently in his fourth season with Connacht, will finish up next summer to take up a new coaching role at Bristol.