Bell replaced by McPhillips at Connacht

McPhillips replace Andre Bell who has returned home to New Zealand to be with his family.

A former player with Connacht Rugby, McPhillips was appointed Head Performance Analyst for the region in 2010 and was given greater responsibility within the coaching team last season in his additional capacity as Assistant Attack Coach.

McPhillips had previous coaching experience with St Marys RFC as well as a Director of Rugby role with Newbridge College in Co. Kildare. He was also Head Coach of the Connacht Sevens' side that finished third in the Limerick World Club 7's last August.

Connacht coach Pat Lam thanked Bell for his service and welcomed McPhillips to the management team.

"I like to thank Andre [Bell] for all his hard work and dedication to the team over the past two years. Andre spent many hours working with our young back line and gave them the confidence and skills to execute our game plan effectively.

"I'm delighted that [McPhillips] has agreed to step into a fulltime coaching role after doubling up as the Head Performance Analyst and Assistant Attack Coach for last season. Conor is hugely passionate about Connacht and has given many years of service. I have every confidence that he will build on the good work that Andre [Bell] has done and take it to another level necessary for next season," said Lam.

In addition to McPhillips Connacht also appointed Simon Kavanagh as the new Head Performance Analyst.

Kavanagh joins Connacht from Avenir Sports, Ireland's leading Performance Analysis company and the Master Distributor of SportstecProducts for the 32 counties.

"[Kavanagh's] knowledge and expertise in IT, as well as the software products we use, will undoubtedly take our detailed analysis to another level moving forward," Lam stated.

It has also been confirmed that Eric Elwood, also a former Connacht player and currently Domestic Rugby Manager, will be involved with the senior setup on an advisory basis to work closely with the goal kickers.

"I'm very pleased that Eric [Elwood] has agreed to come on board in an advisory capacity for our goal kickers. There is no one at all who comes close to having the knowledge and expertise of the intricacies of kicking at the Sportsground. Eric will be an invaluable resource for our team and all our players will benefit massively from his vast experience.

"I believe that any team is only as good as the quality of the management team and the coaching group in place to run the programme. By striving to improve each player to become a better rugby player and a better person, we will improve as a team and I have a lot of confidence and belief in our coaching group that we can continue to do that," he added.

PRO12rugby.com