Wilkins Steps Down As Connacht Men’s Head Coach

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed that Pete Wilkins has taken the decision to step down as head coach of the province’s Men’s team with immediate effect.

In a statement released today, Wilkins said: “It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my departure from Connacht Rugby – the team 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 Connacht Rugby.

“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 made the decision that it is best for Connacht, myself, and most importantly my family, that I step away with immediate effect.

“In doing so, the province 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 Rugby, 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 Rugby family. This is a very special team, 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. Connacht Abú.”

Willie Ruane, the province’s CEO, has paid tribute to Wilkins and his immense contribution to Connacht Rugby in his eight years at Dexcom Stadium. He commented:

Today is a sad day for everyone involved in Connacht Rugby. For the last eight years, Pete Wilkins has been a colleague and friend to us all, and someone that has always put his heart and soul into trying to make us better and helping us to achieve the type of success that we are all striving for.

“In that time Pete has progressed from his initial role as defence coach to ultimately head coach of Connacht Rugby, and prior to his departure on sick leave, he had the second highest league win rate of any Connacht head coach in the professional era.

“He was also our first coach in 15 years to achieve the number one seeding following the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

“Needless to say, whilst we are disappointed to see him leave, we fully respect and support his decision and we wish him, his wife Sarah, and their two sons, Harry and Oscar, all the very best for the years ahead.”

IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys stated: “Pete has contributed an enormous amount to the growth of the game in Connacht, and Irish Rugby owes him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the province.

“On behalf of the IRFU, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Pete for his hard work over the last eight years, and wish him and his family well in the future.

A quality coach and respected figure in Irish Rugby, Pete can remember his time in Connacht with pride, and I hope that he will continue to progress his coaching career in the years to come.”

Wilkins has held a variety of roles across his eight seasons at Connacht. He was defence coach for four years after his arrival in 2017, and in the 2021/22 campaign he moved to the role of senior coach with responsibility for attack.

For the 2022/23 campaign he became head coach under director of rugby Andy Friend, and in that season helped guide the westerners to the semi-finals of the BKT United Rugby Championship. He became their head coach in 2023.

A statement from the province concluded: “Everyone at Connacht Rugby and the IRFU would like to extend their thanks to Pete and his family, and wish them every good health and happiness into the future.

“Cullie Tucker will remain as Connacht’s interim head coach for the rest of 2024/25, and the province will now begin the process of recruiting a new head coach for the 2025/26 season.”