Connacht have begun the process of replacing Pat Lam as head coach after the province’s top officials met at the Sportsground yesterday and CEO Willie Ruane insists it is Connacht, not the IRFU, that will decide who gets the job.

The Irish Rugby Football Union and Connacht Rugby today jointly announced a new structure for the professional game in Connacht with the specific aim of elevating the levels of performance for the province both on and off the pitch.