Connacht Rugby are delighted to confirm the appointment of former club captain John Muldoon to the Professional coaching team on a two-year deal.
Muldoon will have responsibility for the lineout and maul, working in conjunction with Colm Tucker who will remain in charge of the scrum and breakdown.
John Muldoon made an unrivalled contribution to Connacht Rugby over a 15 year career, playing a record 327 times for the club and captaining the side to the historic PRO12 Championship in 2016.
Since his retirement in 2018 Muldoon has gained extensive coaching experience in a 5-year period with Bristol Bears. He was first appointed as defence coach before taking on responsibility for the forwards, helping the side win a Challenge Cup in 2020 and then a 1st place finish in the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership league table.
Bristol Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “When I arrived in Connacht in 2013 and began working with Mul as my captain, it was clear to me that he would be an excellent coach when his playing days were over and in years to come with his passion and love for his home province a possible great homegrown Head Coach for Connacht Rugby.”
“Originally the plan was to join me at Connacht but after moving to Bristol, I was able to bring him into our coaching team in 2018 for his first coaching role. After five years of experience in the Premiership working and developing players from all over the world, I am so pleased he now returns home as an established Forwards Coach.
“I know all too well how highly respected and regarded he is in Connacht, and I believe he will continue to grow and learn under Head Coach Pete Wilkins and he will add real value to the players, staff and supporters of Connacht.
“Mul has made a significant impact during his time with the Bears and we’re grateful to him for his hard work and commitment for the last five years. We wish him and Lorna and their young boys Scottie, Lucas and Robbie all the very best for their next exciting chapter back home in Galway.”