Pat Lam vows exodus won’t dismantle Connacht's structure

Pat Lam is adamant that Connacht’s upward curve will not level out just because some players and management members move on.

The province announced this week that skills coach Dave Ellis will be returning to New Zealand six months earlier than expected after accepting a Super Rugby post with the Blues. He will depart after the meeting with Munster on New Year’s Eve.

Other rumours have included Munster interest in Bundee Aki and Ultan Dillane. Not great news for a side that is already adapting to life without Robbie Henshaw and Ally Muldowney.

“I’ve always said that, at Connacht Rugby, what we’re trying to build with our plan is that it’s not about the individual, it’s about the system,” Lam said at yesterday’s Champions Cup launch in Dublin.

“When I came here, I wanted a big focus on skills so I needed to set up the skills programme and I needed someone to drive it. I needed Dave to come in. All we need now is for that to continue and to follow through.

“So, professional rugby, nobody is going to stay put forever but it can’t be about just the individual or the coaching staff. People will move and you’ve got to set it up so that it’s sustainable going through.”

Talks are ongoing with Connacht CEO Willie Ruane about a successor for Ellis, as well as a long-term skills strategy and structure, and Connacht’s success in winning the PRO12 last season was always going to line up a wider base of potential suitors for their key personnel.

The elevation of more players to the international stage has also highlighted the improvements banked in Galway, with wing Niyi Adeolokun’s involvement in this week’s 24-hour Ireland camp another sign of that progress.

“It’s a great story,” said Lam of the former Trinity player. “But it continues to be a great story because he continues with his attitude and continues to grow.

“He is a real character in the team. He’s actually, even in the back three, becoming a bit of a leader. Tiernan O’Halloran has obviously led that area but you see him now, the talk he does and just his confidence.”

Adeolokun will have three more opportunities to impress the Ireland head coach before the quartet of November internationals what with Ulster and Toulouse visiting the Sportsground before a trip to Italy to face Zebre.

This will be Connacht’s first venture in the top European competition since it morphed into the Champions Cup and the first time they have secured passage to the big time on their own steam.

It feels different.

“It does, yeah,” said captain John Muldoon. “We’ve been here in the past and you’re trying to justify that you belong here and trying to say that we can dine at the top table.

“Whereas, when you qualify on your own merit you show that you deserve to be here. You show that through the results and everything you’ve done deserves to be here. It does make it easier coming up here.”

So does winning last Friday against Edinburgh.

After a disastrous start to a campaign — three defeats and an abandoned tie in Zebre when they were again trailing — Lam’s side finally got off the mark at home to the Scots. Next up is an Ulster side that has so often had their number.

“They’re the form team,” said Lam. “Charles Piutau is massive over there and you just have to look at who’s not playing when Ulster’s playing. There’s a great team that they can name and a great team that’s not playing.

“That emphasises the quality that they have. Les [Kiss] is doing a great job in his second season there and it’s obviously affected the whole culture of the place in Ulster. You can see they’re all enjoying themselves.”