Ahead of this week's pre-season friendlies against Castres Olympique (away) and Sale Sharks (home), Connacht Rugby have announced a number of structural changes to their professional coaching team for 2022/23. Andy Friend, who has served as head coach since 2018, has moved to a new position of director of rugby with overall responsibility for the rugby programme across Connacht's professional set-up. As part of this restructure, Peter Wilkins assumes the role of head coach for the season, more closely reflecting his responsibilities in leading on-field preparation of the team as well as primary responsibility for defence. Wilkins was co-opted into the Ireland coaching set up for the recent tour to New Zealand. The rest of the coaching team consistis of Colm Tucker who moves to a new role of scrum & contact coach, Mossy Lawler takes over as attack & skills coach, and forwards coach Dewald Senekal has responsibility for the lineout and maul. CONNACHT PROFESSIONAL COACHING TEAM - 2022/23 SEASON: Andy Friend – Director of Rugby Peter Wilkins – Head Coach Dewald Senekal – Forwards (Lineout & Maul) Colm Tucker – Scrum & Contact Mossy Lawler – Attack & Skills