Premiership Coaching Role Confirmed For John Muldoon Next Season

New journey.

Premiership bound Bristol have revealed that John Muldoon has agreed a deal to become their new defence coach.

The 35 year-old Connacht legend – who led the Galway side to the PRO12 title in 2016 – is set to join in the summer of 2018. Pat Lam confirms his coaching team for the upcoming Premiership campaign, with Jonathan Thomas appointed as forwards coach on a permanent basis.

Mark Irish remains as scrum coach, while also retaining his role as senior Academy coach. Sean Marsden becomes Academy and transition coach, responsible for overseeing the technical and tactical transition of players into the first team squad.

Pat Lam said:

“I’m excited by the coaching team put together to lead Bristol in our first season back in the Premiership.

“John’s arrival as defence coach reinforces the club vision and culture that we are striving to instil in our players and staff. We’re so aligned in our philosophies and it’s a relationship built on mutual trust and understanding of the way the coaching team want Bristol to play.

“John has played more games than anyone else in the PRO14 and he has an intelligent rugby brain. When we coached together in the Galway community and worked closely together on gameplan and leadership strategy whilst at Connacht, I could see he had the makings of an excellent coach.

“When I was still playing, my mentor – Ian McGeechan – gave me my first coaching opportunity in the professional game and I want John to have the same opportunity to begin his coaching career. He has the character traits and qualities that match everything we are looking for.

Muldoon said he is delighted to be linking up with Pat Lam again.

“I’m delighted to be linking up with Pat [Lam] and the team at Bristol Rugby at a hugely exciting time for the club.

“I’m inspired by the vision that the club has and the philosophy around community is something that is very important to me.

“I’m honoured to have represented Connacht as a player throughout my career and now I’m relishing the chance to begin my coaching career and help contribute to Bristol’s success in the Premiership.”

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