Pete Wilkins has resigned from his position as head coach of Connacht with immediate effect, with scrum coach Cullie Tucker placed in charge until the end of the season.
Wilkins had not been with the team for their last four games, with the Englishman having been on "sick leave", according to the province.
However, Connacht and the IRFU have confirmed this morning that he has now left his role.
"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my departure from Connacht Rugby – the club and province that I have been so proud to call home for the last eight years," Wilkins said in a statement.
The 45-year-old's future had been uncertain, with rumours that he was set to be demoted back to defence coach for next season, a role he had filled successfully under Kieran Keane and Andy Friend between 22017 and 2022.
However, Wilkins has chosen to depart the province entirely, leaving with immediate effect.
"During this season, I have been having some very open and honest discussions about my future at the club. Although incredibly privileged to have been given the responsibility of leading the rugby programme here, the longer I have spent in the role, the further away I have found myself from the aspects of coaching not only that I most enjoy, but also that allow me to contribute most effectively to the team.
"As such, I have made the decision that it is best for the club, myself, and most importantly my family, that I step away with immediate effect. In doing so, the club and I agree it gives our players, staff and supporters clarity for the remainder of the season, and myself the opportunity to focus on returning to full health before my next coaching challenge," he added.
Having spent several years as defence coach, Wilkins (above) was promoted to head coach in 2022, where he worked under director of rugby Andy Friend during his final season at the province, while Wilkins took full control of the side in the summer of 2023.
Hs first season was one of inconsistency, winning their opening three games in the URC for an 11th-place finish, while they have had more frustrations in this season, with chronic inconsistency and a dreadful defence leaving them 13th in the table with four games to play.
Willkins is the second head coach of a province to leave during this season, following Graham Rowntree's Munster departure in October.
Scrum coach Cullie Tucker will continue to lead the management team until the end of the season, while it is expected Australian Rod Seib will be the province's new head coach for next season.
The Brumbies assistant (below) was already confirmed to be joining Connacht as a "Senior Assistant Coach" for next season, though RTÉ Sport understands he is likely to be head coach.
Last week Connacht also confirmed the appointment of another Australian, Billy Millard, as their next general manager.
Connacht Rugby CEO Willie Ruane said:
"Today is a sad day for everyone involved in Connacht Rugby. For the last 8 years Pete Wilkins has been a colleague and friend to us all, and someone that has always put his heart and soul into trying to make us better and helping us to achieve the type of success that we are all striving for.
"In that time Pete has progressed from his initial role as defence coach to ultimately head coach of Connacht Rugby, and prior to his departure on sick leave, Pete had the second highest league win rate of any Connacht head coach in the professional era, and was the first in 15 years to achieve the number 1 seeding following the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
"Needless to say, whilst we are disappointed to see Pete leave, we fully respect and support his decision and we wish him, his wife Sarah and his two sons Harry and Oscar all the very best for the years ahead".
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