Connacht have announced that former Leinster back-row Scott Fardy will join the province as their new defence coach from next season.
Australian-born Fardy has inked a two-year deal and will arrive at the Sportsground after a recent coaching stint at former Shute Shield club Warringah.
Fardy‘s playing days were filled with success as he enjoyed five years at the Brumbies, four terms at Leinster and three at Kamaishi Seawaves in Japan.
Successful playing career
His accolades include four PRO14 titles and a Champions Cup with Leinster, where he was also named in the PRO14 Dream Team for three seasons.
He was also an international, playing 39 matches for Australia between 2013-2016 and started the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand.
Since retiring in 2021, Fardy has gained coaching experience firstly in Japan with NEC Green Rockets before he returned to Australia with Warringah.
“I’m delighted to be adding Scott to the Connacht coaching team for the 2023/24 season and beyond,” head coach Pete Wilkins told the club website.
“When we began the recruitment process for a new defence coach, it was important to identify someone with experience of professional rugby at the very highest level, but also a person with the qualities that we want to see in a Connacht Rugby team in the years ahead. In Scott we have recruited someone who absolutely fits that mould on both fronts.
👊 | 𝓢𝓬𝓸𝓽𝓽 𝓕𝓪𝓻𝓭𝔂 𝓐𝓹𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓪𝔂
Thank you @Scottfardy for all of the memories over the last four years! 🔵🙌#ThanksFards pic.twitter.com/5XCYx731qo
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) June 29, 2021
“His playing career speaks for itself, and when you chat to anyone who has shared a pitch with him, more often than not the first thing they highlight are his leadership skills and his ability to inspire those around him.
“Scott understands what it takes to develop a relentless and winning mindset, and with his thorough knowledge of the Irish rugby landscape, is really motivated to help Connacht reach the next level.
“These attributes will be a huge benefit to the club and us as a coaching team, and I’m sure the players will be massively excited to learn from and work with Scott in the years ahead.”
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Fardy is thrilled to be returning to Ireland, saying it “feels like home”, and can’t wait to begin his new job at the United Rugby Championship outfit.
Fardy family love Ireland
“I’m very excited to be joining the coaching team in Connacht. I have had some great conversations with Pete and I’m looking forward to making the move and working with all the players and coaches,” he said.
“My wife and I loved our time in Ireland. Both our boys were born there and it feels like home for us, so the move makes perfect sense for us. I’m also very excited to be coaching in the URC and Europe, which are such challenging and diverse competitions.
“There’s a lot of great young talent in the Connacht squad, coupled with some really experienced players. I’m looking forward to working with them and doing my bit to help them go from strength to strength.”