Colm Tucker renews contract with Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby have announced that Colm Tucker has signed a three-year contract extension to remain part of the professional coaching team.
Tucker first joined the pro set-up in the summer of 2021 as defence coach, and as part of a coaching restructure Tucker then moved to scrum and contact coach for the current season. Under his leadership, the Connacht scrum is currently ranked the best in the United Rugby Championship, with a 98% win ratio this season.
Tucker first joined Connacht in 2015 as a coach development officer before moving to the role of provincial talent coach 12 months later. The Limerick native then became an elite player development officer, working primarily with the forwards in the Connacht Academy and as forwards and defence coach with the Connacht Eagles.
During that time he was head coach of the Connacht Under 18s that won the 2018 interprovincial championship – a first in 10 years for the province. He was also coach of the Ireland Under 18 Clubs & Schools team for three years, assistant coach to the Ireland Under 19s, and forwards coach to the Ireland Under 20s between 2019 and 2021.
Pete Wilkins, head coach of Connacht Rugby, commented: “When putting together our new coaching team, one of my first objectives was making sure Cullie remained a key part of it. Our scrum has been one of the major strengths this season which is a credit to him and the players, and similarly our contact work and at the breakdown has been very strong too.
“I’m delighted he’s chosen to remain at Connacht, give that continuity to the players, and build on the excellent foundations of the last two years.”
Tucker himself added: “I’m delighted to be staying at Connacht Rugby for another three seasons, and I’m really looking forward to working with Pete and the rest of the coaching team. I think there’s real potential among the playing group, particularly with some of the younger players who have come on another level this season.
“It’s exciting to think about what this group can achieve in the years ahead and I want to play my part in helping them reach their potential.”