Connacht Rugby is pleased to announce two new appointments to the coaching staff for next season.

Renowned Australian coach Brian Melrose will take up the role of Backs Coach and former Connacht, Ireland U21 and Ireland A winger Conor McPhillips will come into the newly created role of Video Analyst.

Brian Melrose has a distinguished career in Australia and brings a huge wealth of knowledge and experience with him. He joins Connacht after a very successful season as head coach of Eastwood RFC, Sydney. In 2008 Melrose took Australia’s U20 team to the World Cup in Wales and he has also managed the Australian 7’s team.

Brian has a long association with the NSW Waratahs having coached their Academy in 2004 and was their Attack & Kicking Coach in 2005 and 2006.

Conor McPhillips played for Connacht from 2003 to 2008 and in that time made 120 appearances.

He has represented Ireland on their U21 tour to South Africa (2002), Ireland 7’s in the Argentinean World Cup in 2001 & 2008 in Hanover, and was on the Ireland Senior Tour to Japan in 2005 and has played for the Irish Wolfhounds n the 2006 Churchill Cup.

He has recently been involved with St Mary’s RFC as player coach.