RTÉ Rugby commentator Michael Corcoran believes the reality of competing with English clubs has come to he fore again for Irish provinces again following the news of Pat Lam’s impending departure to Bristol, but the vacancy “is a big job for somebody”.
Lam will leave for the English Premiership side next year – despite the face they could drop to the second tier after a disastrous league season so far.
He told Today with Sean O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1: “This morning’s news can certainly be classed as shock. What they achieved last year in going from nearly-rans for a hell of a long time and what other people said as a team that almost went out of existence, to where they are now and what happened last year, they literally got the entire province behind them.
“I’m not privy to what happens but I would say this has probably been bubbling under the surface or behind the scenes for a period of time. Willie Ruane, the chief executive, is a very pragmatic and dynamic individual, and I think they would have done whatever they possibly could to get Pat to stay.
“But once somebody makes up their mind to move on and go to another gig for want of a better phrase, their mind is made up. Pat is a very honourable man. He has done the right thing for Connacht for the last number of seasons and he feels it is time to move for him to move on to a fresher challenge.
“Given the financial strength of English clubs and French clubs because of the massive TV deals that they have, they can attract the best of the world in terms of talent on the pitch and the best in the world in terms of talent off the pitch in form of new coaches.”
Two potential candidates that could interest the province are Stuart Lancaster and Bernard Jackman, according to the RTÉ commentator, if they become available.
He said Lam’s work make the job extremely appealing.
“This is one person who is in the country presently and Leinster fans might not like me saying this – but he is contracted to Leinster only to this season – that is the former England head coach Stuart Lancaster.
“That is the type of calibre of person that Connacht need to be chasing after if you understand what I meant.
“It is a hugely lucrative job given the fact of what Pat has done, where has brought them.
“RTÉ pundit Bernard Jackman could be another person who would fit the bill for what they are trying to do.
“It’s not as if this is a basement bargain gig. This is a big job for somebody.”
Reaction from Connacht on Pat Lam's "difficult decision" to leave the province https://t.co/GOGEqcebbO
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) December 5, 2016
