A very sad day for Connacht. Best of luck to Eric.

Here is the press conference audio..

www.mixcloud.com/CountFurlo/eric-elwood-steps-down/

I remember when I first saw the other Eric Elwood themed thread I was just hoping that we would never axe one of the greatest legends the club has ever seen. I have never known Connacht without Eric, and he will be a big loss no doubt. We all owe Eric a lot of thanks, that's for sure.

Obvious choice would be O'Shea, but to be honest I think that he would turn the Irish job down at the moment if offered. If O'Sullivan is to come back, I'm just not sure if I would want him bringing George Hook back into the Connacht setup with him again.

Wasn't Alan Quinlan rumoured to have nearly signed for Connacht a few seasons ago to be a player with coaching responsibilities? Not thinking that he will be offered it outright though.

Very sorry to read that It's now official, despite last seasons loosing streak he still guided Connacht to our highest ever finishing position.

It feels just like when Robbie left Take That

Still gutted .... I am however pleased he is leaving the province he loves so much on his own terms. Legend doesn't do him justice. He's been a personal hero of mine since I was a teenager and I wish him all the best for the future. I'm sure we'll see him involved in some capacity again one day.

Eric Elwood to step down

Connacht Rugby coach Eric Elwood is to leave his position at the end of the current season.


The former Connacht and Ireland outside-half has been Head of Coaching with the province since 2010 having previously been assistant coach to Michael Bradley. Elwood represented Connacht 168 times as a player and won 35 caps for his country, appearing in two Rugby World Cups. The 43 year-old has decided not to seek to renew his contract which expires at the end of the season.

Elwood said: ‘I have come to this decision after thinking long and hard about what is best for me and also what is best for Connacht. I have given a big part of my life to Connacht Rugby and I feel that it is time for me to have a change and time for the province to have a change as well.

‘I want to stress that this has nothing to do with any on field issues or performances or anything off the field. Connacht has progressed enormously in the last couple of years and I can only see that continuing but for me personally the time is right to step aside at the end of this season and let someone else take things on.

‘It is a decision that I have not made lightly and it’s an emotional one but again I would like to make it very clear that it is my decision and no-one else’s. I have not been under any pressure to step down and I have always received great support from the IRFU, the Professional Game Board and everyone involved with Connacht.’

Chief Executive Tom Sears said: ‘Eric Elwood is synonymous with Connacht Rugby and he will leave a big void. His decision has come as a surprise but it is one we respect and understand.

‘Eric will remain in charge for the rest of the season and we will begin a recruitment process to find someone who can build on the foundations he has put in place and take us to the next level. We will look to appoint the very best person we can and they will be charged with delivering the results that will see Connacht challenge successfully on all fronts, the search will be comprehensive and global.’

Fair play, wasnt aware of that. he must be very well got across the water so!!

Bit early for speculation so I guess, its looking like a new and exciting time for Connacht Rugby, here's hoping we can build on the momentum and go from strength to strength!

micktreacy wrote: Id love to see the likes of Conor O'Shea but that will depend on how Quins do this season.

Not a hope of getting O'Shea IMO. His CV is so broad at this stage he will be in huge demand even outside the game. He's even been appointed to the review group to find out why British swimmers did so poorly in the Olympics.

Saddened to hear about EE leaving, but again he owes nothing to us, hopefully he will get the send off that he so truely deserves in that Connacht will have the best season yet results wise, it would be a fitting tribute to an unquestionable patron and legend of rugby in the west.

As for replacement that could be an interesting journey for the future of Connacht Rugby, it will be hard to replace Eric. Id love to see the likes of Conor O'Shea but that will depend on how Quins do this season.

there is also the point that Declan Kidney's IRFU contract ends after this season too afaik, Id imagine O'Shea would like to think of himself as being in the running for that position too.

All the best to Eric and his family for the future, there is more to life but would love to see him in green again at some point.

Connacht have issued an embargoed press release confirming the news. There are quotes attributed to Eric, which I personally won't post until after 5:00, but there is nothing groundbreaking in it. Release says the search will be 'comprehensive and global'.

How much say will the IRFU have in the selection process?

Porterbelly wrote: Can't believe people are so quick to dismiss Eddie O Sullivan.He has a fine track record, laid the foundations for the irish grand slam in 09, and is a really bright guy. I think we'd be lucky to have him. I for one have a huge amount of respect for him

Eddie will polarise opinion. Those against him will say he's been found out or will focus on personality problems. He has been found out internationally, but I think he has plenty to offer a club. As for his personality, meh, a few wins and we'd all have amnesia.

Personally I think Eddie would be like the Parks signing. Parks wasn't brought in because he's Dan Carter, but because he's a step up from anything we've had in the past. EOS would be similar.

He wouldn't be my first pick though. We need someone with something to prove, a first timer out to stake his claim, who gets Connacht and knows the score here in terms of funding etc. Anyone who wants O'Shea is dreaming, but Kingston is his head coach and joined him from Galwegians. He'd be my pick.

Porterbelly wrote: After all, there are more important things in life.

I guess

Porterbelly wrote: Can't believe people are so quick to dismiss Eddie O Sullivan.He has a fine track record, laid the foundations for the irish grand slam in 09, and is a really bright guy. I think we'd be lucky to have him. I for one have a huge amount of respect for him

Couldn't agree more. People criticised his conservative nature, and apparent reluctance to bring through young players, but he always maintained that the IRFU were adamant that he won every game, so his "hands were tied" as he'd say himself. At the end of the day, the stats speak for themselves, and even Declan Kidney was very quick to attribute a lot of the grand slam success to Eddie's work. I'd take him in a heartbeat. I'd prefer O'Shea, but that's not going to happen.

I'll just echo what has been said about Eric, he is a legend, he has put Connacht Rugby on the map and is leaving us in a far better place. But maybe it's the right time for him to step down, he has been consumed and obsessed with Connacht, he has put himself under severe stress, so for his health and his future, maybe he's doing the right thing. After all, there are more important things in life.

Can't believe people are so quick to dismiss Eddie O Sullivan.He has a fine track record, laid the foundations for the irish grand slam in 09, and is a really bright guy. I think we'd be lucky to have him. I for one have a huge amount of respect for him

Is the press conference being broadcast live in any way, shape or form does anyone know?