The 2018–19 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's eighteenth season competing in the Pro14, and the team's twenty-third season as a professional side. It was Andy Friend's first season in charge of the side.
In the regular season, Connacht were in Conference A of the Pro14. The team finished third in their conference, qualifying for the play-offs for the first time since the 2015–16 season where they were beaten by Ulster in the quarter-final. As well as playing in the Pro14, the team competed in the Challenge Cup in Europe. They qualified as one of the best runners up from a pool including Bordeaux, Perpignan and Sale Sharks to reach the quarter-finals, where they again met Sale. A 20–10 defeat saw the team eliminated in the last eight.
In addition to the league and European competitions, the Connacht Eagles development side competed in two new competitions. The first was the Celtic Cup, which saw them play against other Irish provinces' development teams and sides from Wales. The Eagles finished bottom of the Irish conference the inaugural edition of this tournament. The second competition was the Cara Cup, which involved the Irish provinces and the New England Free Jacks, a newly established Major League Rugby side. The Eagles won both of their games, beating Ulster and the Free Jacks.
Background Following the removal of head coach Kieran Keane one year into a three-year deal, Andy Friend was hired as his replacement. The team also had a new captain for the season, following the retirement of John Muldoon, the province's most-capped player. In August 2018, Jarrad Butler was named as his replacement.
Coaching and management team Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Individuals may hold more than one non-WR nationality. Role Name Union Chief executive Willie Ruane Team manager Tim Allnutt Head coach Andy Friend Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy Backs Coach Nigel Carolan Defence Coach Peter Wilkins Head Performance Analyst Simon Kavanagh Head of Strength and Conditiong David Howarth Strength and conditioning Coach Johnny O'Connor Academy manager Eric Elwood Connacht Eagles Coach Mossy Lawler
Players
Senior playing squad The Connacht senior squad for 2018–19 was:
Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold Players qualified to play for on dual nationality or residency grounds* Irish Provinces are currently limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player"). Connacht is exempted from this under a separate development arrangement. Notes:
Academy squad The Connacht academy squad for 2018–19 was:
Senior team transfers
Players in HK Jonny Murphy from Rotherham Titans PR Conán O'Donnell promoted from Academy LK Peter Claffey promoted from Academy LK Joe Maksymiw from Leicester Tigers BR Robin Copeland from Munster BR Colby Fainga'a from Melbourne Rebels BR Cillian Gallagher promoted from Academy SH Angus Lloyd from Clontarf FH David Horwitz from Melbourne Rebels CE Tom Daly from Leinster (loan) CE Kyle Godwin from Brumbies WG Stephen Fitzgerald from Munster (loan)
Players out HK Pat O'Toole to San Diego Legion PR JP Cooney retired PR Denis Coulson to Lansdowne LK Andrew Browne retired BR Naulia Dawai to Otago BR Jake Heenan to Bristol Bears BR John Muldoon retired FH Steve Crosbie to Old Belvedere FH Andrew Deegan to Western Force CE Pita Ahki to Toulouse WG Cormac Brennan released WG Stacey Ili to Hawke's Bay WG Rory Scholes to Brive
Player's name in italics indicates a transfer that took place during the course of the season
Results
Pro14
Regular season
Play-offs
Challenge Cup
Pool 3
Pool winners and runners-up rankings RankPool LeadersPtsDiffTF1 Clermont 30 187 442 La Rochelle 24 134 323 Sale Sharks 22 88 274 Worcester Warriors 22 25 195 Harlequins 21 66 23RankPool Runners–upPtsDiffTF6 Connacht 22 26 197 Bristol Bears 21 159 428 Northampton Saints 21 155 429 Benetton 20 65 2310 Ospreys 13 36 18
Quarter-finals
References