Pat Lam’s coaching shake-up continues with long-standing attack and backs coach Conor McPhillips departing at the end of the season having been by the Bristol Bears Director of Rugby’s side since he first arrived at Ashton Gate six years ago.
McPhillips is the second major coaching exit following the news that forwards coach John Muldoon will be leaving at the end of the 2022/23 campaign to join hometown club Connacht. There’s been no announcement on McPhillips’ next destination.
The 42-year-old Irishman joined the Bears from Connacht having worked his way up through the coaching ranks at the Irish province and during his time in the West Country he’s also worked with the Barbarians set-up.
McPhillips has played a key role in the development of a number of the Bears’ young stars who have gone on to earn international honours during his time at the club, including Harry Randall, Ioan Lloyd and Callum Sheedy.
“Conor has been an outstanding servant to the club for the past six seasons as we transitioned from the Championship into an established Premiership team,” said Lam.
“His work ethic, attention to detail and all-round understanding of the game has seen, not only the team improve, but also the players that he has worked with.
“After working with him for 10 years, I understand his reasoning for seeking a new challenge and although we will miss him at the Bears, we wish him Niamh, Nathan and Dylan well for their next chapter.”
McPhillips has revealed that his decision to move on from Bristol was formulated around Christmas time last year and after several discussions with Lam, a mutual parting of the ways was accepted ending their long-standing working relationship.
“I felt at this stage of my coaching career I needed to challenge myself in a new environment and gain new perspectives as a coach. While it was a tough decision, I am excited by what the future holds for my family and I,” McPhillips said.
“I have worked with Pat for the last 10 years and gained lots of experience and learnt what a winning environment looks like. There have been many ups and downs, but I have enjoyed every minute of it.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the people I’ve worked with - I have been very fortunate to have coached some amazing players at the Bears and hopefully, I have contributed to their development as rugby players.
“Pat has known of my plans for a long time and has been 100 per cent supportive of me every step of the way. I’d like to sincerely thank Pat for his role in my development as a coach and a person and for the opportunities he has given me.
“I would also like to extend my appreciation and adoration to everyone at the Bears for their support over these past few years, I would like to wish them and all the players and coaches every success for the future.”
The Bears will now be looking to recruit a replacement having named Mark Irish as Muldoon’s successor earlier this month, with the 41-year-old stepping up from the position of scrum coach.
Reports in February indicated that Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder has been lined up for the role of attack coach, as a departure from Lam's general policy of either appointing from within or coaches he has previously worked with.
Of the current senior coaching team, Jordan Crane remains as defence coach, Sean Marsden as skills coach, Dave Alred as kicking coach with vacancies for 2023/24 as attack and backs coach and scrum coach.
Lam’s side have one more game of what has been a disappointing Premiership season with a match-up against Gloucester a week on Saturday with the prize for the victors being a top-eight berth and a place in next season’s Champions Cup.
