WE HOPE STAFF at Connacht Rugby informed incoming coach Pat Lam that the sun does not always shine so brightly out west.
The New Zealander and his family – wife Steph and four children – arrived in Ireland on Monday and checked out the Sportsground and Galway yesterday.
“It’s been fantastic meeting everyone,” said the 44-year-old. “Since we’ve arrived, everybody has been so welcoming to myself and my family.
“We’re enjoying having a look around Galway in the sun and getting settled.”
Connacht head coach Eric Elwood will remain in charge until the end of the season but Lam will shadow [in the best sense of the word] the Galwegian for the final Pro12 games in an effort to hit the ground running on 1 June.
Lam commented, “I sat down with Eric [on Tuesday] and we had a good chat. I’m looking forward to meeting all the players on Wednesday.
It will be great to take in the remaining four games of the season and get the lay of the land before I start in the summer.”
The New Zealander represented the All Blacks in a tour match before going on to captain Samoa in a distinguished playing career which included spells with Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints where he lifted the Heineken Cup.
He coached Auckland in New Zealand’s provincial championship [now the ITM Cup] and led his team to glory in 2005 and 2007.
He stepped up at Auckland to lead the Blues in Super Rugby and took the squad to the semi-finals in 2011.
