Connacht Face Another Setback As Head Coach Resigns Ahead Of Crucial Urc Clash Against Stormers

Connacht have been dealt another blow ahead of a crucial clash against the Stormers, with the Irish province and Irish Rugby announcing the immediate departure of their head coach Pete Wilkins on Wednesday afternoon.

Wilkins has been with the side for eight years and has left his post while the squad is on tour in Cape Town with an important United Rugby Championship duel against the Stormers on Saturday 4pm kick-off. Cullie Tucker, scrum coach, will take over in the interim with another South African clash against the Lions waiting on them next weekend.

Despite the latest setback and some injury-enforced absences, Tucker said they will fight fire with fire when they take on the Cape side and their running rugby this weekend.

Although heavily depleted after losing backline stars Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen to injuries, and accepting that its a heavy loss to their attack, Connacht feel they have enough backup to fill the boots of their Irish internationals. Apart from the duo, Finn Tracey and Josh Ioane flyhalves and loose forward Shamus Hurley-Langton are also out injured.

They have Irish international Jack Carty as backup flyhalf and he could step up to face the Stormers again.