I had to put my family first, explains emotional boss Pat Lam

Pat Lam is confident Ireland will win the bid to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup — and has not ruled out a return to coach in Ireland.

Lam will start a three-year deal in Bristol next summer but in pointing out the reasons for his own departure, said that a coach can never predict where they will end up a few seasons down the road.

Lam was being tipped as one of the primary contenders to take over as Ireland coach if Joe Schmidt did not extend his contract beyond next summer to 2019, and the outgoing Connacht coach said he would have no hesitation in coming back at some stage in the future if the opportunity arose.