Kiwi duo rule out move to Connacht

Connacht’s search for a successor to Pat Lam will continue without two of the fancied contenders following confirmation that former All Blacks Tony Brown and Jono Gibbes are not in the running.

Former All Blacks out-half Tony Brown emerged as a favourite over the weekend but has since dismissed the move, while in France, Gibbes has made it clear he is not leaving Clermont Auvergne.

Brown will coach the Highlanders during the 2017 Super Rugby season before returning to Japan to link up full-time with head coach Jamie Joseph through to the end of the 2019 World Cup, which will be hosted there.