Lam 'replacement plan' in place

The process by which Pat Lam's successor at Connacht will be chosen is fully in place, according to IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora.

The New Zealand-born coach announced earlier this month that he is to leave the western province for English strugglers Bristol in the summer.

Lam has been a huge success with Connacht, guiding them to the Pro12 title in May while playing an attractive brand of attacking rugby and many fear his loss will see the province return to being also-rans.

However, Nucifora told RTE that the IRFU and Connacht have decided on the profile of his replacement and will go out and find him over the coming months.

“Connacht need to understand what they want as a coach out there," he said.

"We’ve sat down and laid a profile with them, with the CEO Willie Ruane and with the game board to establish the profile of the person that we think we need going forward.

"Between us we’ll work diligently and come up with the right person over the next period of time to build on the work that’s been done out there by Pat and the players.

"People will always come and go and move on. There’s always a period of time when you think, ‘geez we can’t let that happen, that person is irreplaceable’. Without any disrespect to anyone, no one is irreplaceable.”

“Every coaching appointment is crucial. There’s been so much good work been done out there, obviously we’re all very, very conscious of what we do next, where do we go next. That’s the reality of sport."

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