Connacht appoint Melrose as backs coach

Connacht Rugby has appointed Australian Brian Melrose as their backs coach.

Melrose comes fresh from a stint as Eastwood RFC head coach in Sydney.

In 2008, he took Australia's Under-20 team to the Junior World Championship in Wales and he has also managed the Australian Sevens side.

Melrose has a long association with the NSW Waratahs, having coached their Academy in 2004. He was also their attack and kicking coach in 2005 and 2006.

Meanwhile former Connacht and Ireland 'A' wing Conor McPhillips has been appointed as Connacht Video Analyst.

He spent five seasons at the western province from 2003-2008, was a member of the Ireland senior squad that toured Japan in 2005 and lined out for Ireland 'A' at the 2006 Churchill Cup.

McPhillips played at scrum-half for St Mary’s College in their AIB League Division 1 final loss to Cork Constitution.