Connacht Recruit Former Irish International For Coaching Role

Connacht have added former Ireland prop Nathan White to their coaching staff for the remainder of the season.

White was forced to retire from professional rugby in September following medical advice after a concussion injury.

The former Waikato captain from New Zealand joined Connacht in the summer of 2012, having spent a season at Leinster under Joe Schmidt. He played in 58 games over four seasons with Connacht.

White made his international debut in August 2015 at 33 years of age. He came on from the bench against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium as part of the Summer Series that took place ahead of the World Cup.

White went on to feature in all five World Cup games in 2015 and then all five Six Nations clashes this year to bring his international caps tally to 13. Connacht’s elite player development officer Mossy Lawler is also set to help out following the departure of skills coach Dave Ellis, reports the42.ie.

Ellis is returning to New Zealand to join the Auckland Blues.

“At the moment we are just working within,” said Lam when asked about a replacement for Ellis.

“Nathan White has been helping us out, Mossy Lawler has been helping out as well. And obviously Jimmy, Conor and myself, so there are five of us.

Whitey has been good, particularly with the RTPs (return to play). Whitey has been in there a bit when he has been injured. Whitey has the ambition to do coaching as well. So this is a good step for him.”