Nigel Carolan: Creating right environment more important than results

It hasn’t been the greatest few months for Ireland’s batch of indigenous coaches, what with the struggles of Anthony Foley’s Munster and Neil Doak’s Ulster, but Nigel Carolan hopes to change that trend.

Carolan spent a decade developing an academy system in Connacht that has been delivering a steady talent stream to the senior ranks and one that has attracted deserved praise and attention.

Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion and Darragh Leader have developed under the guidance of a man who is now pushing new boundaries himself by taking over at the helm of the Irish U20s.