Connacht have shaken up their back-room team with the appointment of former scrumhalf Conor McPhillips as backs coach, while Eric Elwood is set for a new role that will see him work closely with the goal kickers.
Andre Bell, who had held the role as backs and kicking coach for the last two seasons, has returned home to New Zealand to be with his family.
McPhillips played for the westerners from 2003 to 2008, and was appointed head performance analyst in 2010. The Dubliner was given greater responsibility within the coaching team last season in his additional capacity as assistant attack coach.
Elwood, a former player and head coach with the province and currently domestic rugby manager, will be involved with the senior setup on an advisory basis to lend his expertise to the kickers.
The Galway man played 35 times for Ireland, featuring at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups.
With Connacht still buzzing from their incredible Pro12 title triumph, head coach Pat Lam is confident the new appointments can freshen up his set-up and drive them on to even greater heights.
"I believe that any team is only as good as the quality of the management team and the coaching group in place to run the programme," he said.
"By striving to improve each player to become a better rugby player and a better person, we will improve as a team and I have a lot of confidence and belief in our coaching group that we can continue to do that."
