# Andy Friend

Last month

February 2023

# succession plan

Connacht poised to announce new head coach

Andy Friend said he understood that an announcement on his successor is imminent.

20.9k

Feb 14th 2023, 3:00 PM

January

January 2023

# Going nowhere

Friend scoffs at reports that Bundee Aki could be on his way to Munster

The Ireland star had been contracted to the end of the World Cup but signed an extension some time ago.

12.9k

Jan 24th 2023, 7:53 PM

# Worry

Connacht's Prendergast emerges as injury concern for Six Nations

The 22-year-old made his Irish debut off the bench against Fiji in November.

8.8k

Jan 22nd 2023, 9:57 PM

# Waiting Game

Connacht head coach Wilkins yet to be interviewed to take over from Friend

The current director of rugby is set to depart in the summer of 2023.

7.5k

Jan 11th 2023, 6:45 AM

# A Friend in need

Hansen and Bealham back for Connacht as Sharks send their second-string

Andy Friend’s side are 13th in the URC table and badly need a win.

6.7k

Jan 6th 2023, 12:15 PM

Andy Friend calls for Connacht to 'front up and start winning games'

The province sit 13th in the URC table and face an uphill battle to reach the play-offs.

5.0k

Jan 3rd 2023, 7:30 AM

Last year

2022

# Team news

Gibson-Park and Sexton to make first Leinster start of the season together, Connacht missing key trio

Mack Hansen, Finlay Bealham and Bundee Aki all miss Sunday’s trip to the RDS.

19.1k

Dec 30th 2022, 12:37 PM

# Preview

Beleaguered Brive up next as Connacht look to shape season in Challenge Cup

Andy Friend’s side are in action in France tonight.

5.5k

Dec 16th 2022, 6:45 AM

# Optimism

Friend thrilled Connacht's squad depth strengthened by Challenge Cup games

“We’ve got to be brave enough to use it. There would have been a lot of people scratching their heads wondering what are we doing.”

4.2k

Dec 12th 2022, 6:15 AM

# mission

Andy Friend gets priorities straight as he bids to bow out with a bang at Connacht

His four summer signings from Leinster start together for the first time against Newcastle Falcons in the Challenge Cup later today.

5.5k

Dec 10th 2022, 10:20 AM

# Challenge Cup

Connacht to rest Irish internationals during European pool games

The province kick-off their Challenge Cup campaign against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.

8.0k

Dec 6th 2022, 2:31 PM

# Heading Home

Friend hoping to end time at Connacht on a high

The Connacht director of rugby says he hasn’t been asked to help with the search for his successor.

4.0k

Nov 23rd 2022, 7:30 AM

# Farewell

Connacht confirm Andy Friend will leave at the end of the season

The popular Australian will depart after five seasons in charge.

17.5k

Nov 14th 2022, 3:22 PM

# missed opportunities

'We are making life so hard for ourselves' - Andy Friend says Connacht must improve

Head coach happy with win against Ospreys ‘but not as happy with the performance’.

4.4k

Oct 31st 2022, 6:30 AM

# friendly advice

'We needed that win but there is still more in us'

Andy Friend believes Connacht can kick on from tonight’s victory over the Scarlets.

6.4k

Oct 21st 2022, 10:40 PM

# Next Job

Connacht turn their thoughts to Leinster after getting off the mark

Andy Friend’s team defeated Munster on Friday to record their first win of the season.

5.5k

Oct 10th 2022, 7:26 AM

# Squad

The Connacht depth chart: Back three boost and arrivals from Leinster

The western province had hoped to sign a new tighthead prop ahead of this season.

7.3k

Sep 15th 2022, 4:54 PM

# Change Of Plan

Andy Friend explains reasons behind switch to Connacht Director of Rugby role

In advance of the 2021-22 season, there were a number of additions to the Australian’s senior coaching ticket.

9.7k

Sep 13th 2022, 6:00 AM

# new title

Friend moves to DOR role as Connacht re-jig their coaching staff

Peter Wilkins is the province’s new head coach.

11.1k

Aug 22nd 2022, 4:40 PM

# Last Hurrah

Farewells and glimpses of the future as Connacht wrap up against Zebre

It has been a disappointing URC season for Andy Friend’s side but they can finish with a home win.

9.8k

May 21st 2022, 7:50 AM

# Grind

'You can never doubt the fight and energy that we have within the group'

Connacht head coach Andy Friend insists his players will only get better after rare victory away in South Africa.

6.7k

Apr 24th 2022, 9:38 AM

Connacht have one eye on next season, but Friend will demand response after Champions Cup exit

The province are in Johannesburg to take on the Emirates Lions today.

3.8k

Apr 23rd 2022, 7:45 AM

# Rugby

Andy Friend: 'Let’s be the first team to have a clean sweep against the South African sides'

The Connacht coach has eye on next season but also sets lofty target.

3.6k

Apr 20th 2022, 6:30 AM

# Bouncing Back

Connacht wait for one more signing but Friend is 'really happy' with his squad

Captain and out-half Jack Carty is hopeful the players can cut out their habit of making consecutive errors.

13.2k

Apr 18th 2022, 9:07 AM

# High tackle

'I thought it was a yellow' - Connacht boss Friend agrees with big referee call

The Connacht head coach will take some encouragement despite the defeat to Leinster.

14.7k

Apr 8th 2022, 11:20 PM

# up against it

Friend calls on Connacht's internationals to set the tone across Leinster double-header

The province host Leo Cullen’s side in Galway in the first leg of the Champions Cup round of 16 this weekend.

5.3k

Apr 6th 2022, 7:00 AM

# Derby Day

High stakes for Connacht as Friend's side hope to deliver first blow in Leinster trilogy

Connacht and Leinster will play each other three times over the next four weeks, starting with tonight’s URC clash in Galway.

5.2k

Mar 26th 2022, 6:30 AM

# signings

'Everyone will be saying he's the next Mack Hansen' - Connacht excited about additions

Andy Friend is enthused by Leinster players deciding to switch to Connacht.

16.8k

Mar 23rd 2022, 6:30 AM

# harsh lessons

'It was pretty embarrassing' - Connacht must bounce back to save URC season

Head coach Andy Friend and club captain Jarrad Butler were honest about the defeat in Edinburgh.

7.4k

Mar 22nd 2022, 3:44 PM

# heading west

David Hawkshaw latest Leinster player to make the move to Connacht

The Leinster back will move to The Sportsground ahead of next season.

14.0k

Mar 15th 2022, 10:29 AM

# Signed Up

Connacht captain Jarrad Butler signs two-year contract extension

The back row is staying at The Sportsground until at least the end of the 2023/24 season.

4.3k

Mar 9th 2022, 10:40 AM

# Go West

Connacht announce new contract renewals for Burke and Porch

The province are also set to make further announcements on the squad for next season in the coming days.

4.7k

Mar 7th 2022, 6:14 PM

# Crunch time

'We are fighters': Connacht know they must bounce back as play-off fight looms

Andy Friend’s side shipped 56 points in a shocking collapse against Edinburgh.

6.1k

Mar 5th 2022, 9:49 AM

# reinforcements

'We call them our bouncers' - Friend praises impact of Connacht bench in Stormers win

It’s the second week in a row Connacht have come from ten points adrift to secure victory.

4.2k

Feb 27th 2022, 11:41 AM

# Empty-Handed

Friend rues lack of control as Connacht's slump continues with fourth defeat

‘At this stage, with every loss, we’re making life ever more tricky.’

5.7k

Feb 5th 2022, 10:15 AM

# warning shot

Andy Friend: 'If we play like that against Ulster, they'll put 60 or 70 on us’

The Connacht coach was reacting to his side’s 42-20 defeat to Glasgow this afternoon.

8.9k

Jan 29th 2022, 6:13 PM

# winning habit

Friend doesn't want Connacht to limp into Champions Cup knockout stages

Connacht will qualify automatically on Friday night unless Castres get a bonus point win away to English champions Harlequins

3.8k

Jan 19th 2022, 2:17 PM

# stepping up

'He’s been outstanding all year' - Friend backs Marmion for Ireland recall

The scrum-half was last capped at Test level in November 2020.

5.0k

Jan 12th 2022, 7:15 AM

# Setback

Mack Hansen to miss Connacht's Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers

The winger is unavailable after aggravating a calf injury in training.

5.4k

Jan 11th 2022, 2:18 PM

All time

# OFFICIAL

Friend hails 'really positive step' of URC appointing referee manager

Former Test referee Tappe Henning was announced in the role earlier this month.

5.1k

Dec 29th 2021, 6:30 AM