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Saturday see's Connacht begin their 2023/24 BKT URC season at home to Ospreys. The summer has brought about plenty of change with the squad and coaching team this season.
One of the new coaches on board in Pete Wilkins setup is former Wallabie, Scott Fardy. Having coached in Japan with NEC Green Rockets and in Australia with his former Shute Shield club Warringah, Scott made the move to the west of Ireland where he has settled in nicely.
"It's been great to return to Ireland. It's a different experience coming to the west of Ireland but me and my family are loving it"
"It's a great team here at Connacht and a great coaching team as well"
Having played with Leinster, Scott is no stranger to The Sportsground having played against the western province a number of times.
"It was always a huge challenge coming to Galway"
"In my playing days you always knew you needed to be on your game"
"Conditions always played a huge part in those games so you needed to be ready physically for the challenge"
"Of course the supporters as well make a huge difference. They are so close to the action and you really feel that athmosphere around the ground even as an opposition player"
Scott comes to Connacht with a young family and said there are many factors as to why he came back to Ireland.
"I wanted to work with quality coaches and quality players"
"The facilities will see a redevelopment which I'm looking forward to seeing, I think this place will be on par with any ground in the country"
Last season Connacht reached the last four of the URC and will look to improve on that this season.
"You always want to keep improving"
"You watch that run towards the end of last season which was fantastic, but, it would have been nicer to go into those final games not having so many do or die games"
"We want to start this season well and that starts this Saturday against Ospreys"
