Pete Wilkins has stepped down as head coach of Connacht with “a heavy coronary heart” after Saturday’s Problem Cup defeat by Racing 92.
The French facet got here out on prime in a 43-40 thriller in Galway to ebook their place within the semi-finals.
Wilkins spent eight years at Connacht, who’re thirteenth within the United Rugby Championship desk, and have become head coach in 2023.
“Throughout this season, I’ve been having some very open and sincere discussions about my future on the membership.,” Wilkins stated in a press release.
“Though extremely privileged to have been given the duty of main the rugby programme right here, the longer I’ve spent within the function, the additional away I’ve discovered myself from the points of teaching not solely that I most take pleasure in, but in addition that enable me to contribute most successfully to the group.”
Wilkins joined Conacht in 2017 as defence coach and he moved into the function of senior coach within the 2021-22 marketing campaign.
The next yr he turned head coach below director of rugby Andy Buddy as Connacht reached the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship and in 2023 he took full management after the departure of Buddy.
Connacht say Cullie Tucker will stay as interim head coach for the rest of the season and the province will start the method of recruiting a brand new head coach for subsequent season.
David Humphreys, director of efficiency on the Irish Rugby Soccer Union stated Wilkins had “contributed an infinite quantity of progress of the sport” in Connacht.
“Irish Rugby owes him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and dedication to the province,” added Humphreys.
“A top quality coach and revered determine in Irish rugby, Pete can keep in mind his time in Connacht with pleasure, and I hope that he’ll proceed to progress his teaching profession within the years to return.”
