Search Results for 'Andy Friend'

Connacht's new game style is set for its first competitive test in the United Rugby Championship's opening round against Cardiff in Wales this evening (7.35pm).

Connacht's new game style is set for its first competitive test in the United Rugby Championship's opening round against Cardiff in Wales tomorrow evening (7.35pm).

Irish Rugby hit the headlines for the all the wrong reasons this week when Connacht Women were forced to change beside a rubbish strewn area for their final interprovincial against Ulster in Energia Park.

Some 3,000 supporters are expected at the Galway Sportsground when Connacht open their 2021 home season with a visit of London Irish on Friday (5.30pm).

Linley MacKenzie

As a new-look Connacht takes shape for the coming season, head coach And Friend has had plenty of time to think about how to achieve on-field success. Day 11 of a 14 day quarantine in a hotel in Australia, Connacht Rugby coach Andy Friend is counting down the hours before being released. It is the first time he has been 'home' in three years - Covid having stymied any plans to visit family and friends. So when he signed a new contract to stay on at the Galway Sportsground for another two seasons, it was a stipulation that he be able to head home this summer.

Connacht have added a third overseas player to their squad for next season with the recruitment of South African Shayne Bolton.

Connacht, in producing a 26-19 bonus-point home victory, showcased the best of attack and defence in each half for a positive end to their season.

The curtain comes down on another Connacht Rugby season that has produced a mixed bag of results in this Covid year.

As a national school youngster in Roscommon, prop Denis Buckley was such a big Connacht Rugby fan, he wrote to the club asking to be a game day mascot.