Muldoon, who made 320 appearances for Connacht before joining the Bears as Defence Coach in 2018, returns to his hometown club as Forwards Coach ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The 40-year-old was appointed Forwards Coach at the Bears in 2020, helping the club to a maiden European title and a first-place finish in the Gallagher Premiership.

Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “When I arrived in Connacht in 2013 and began working with Mul as my captain, it was clear to me that he would be an excellent coach when his playing days were over and in years to come with his passion and love for his home province a possible great homegrown Head Coach for Connacht Rugby.”

“Originally the plan was to join me at Connacht but after moving to Bristol, I was able to bring him into our coaching team in 2018 for his first coaching role. After five years of experience in the Premiership working and developing players from all over the world, I am so pleased he now returns home as an established Forwards Coach.

“I know all too well how highly respected and regarded he is in Connacht, and I believe he will continue to grow and learn under Head Coach Pete Wilkins and he will add real value to the players, staff and supporters of Connacht.

“Mul has made a significant impact during his time with the Bears and we’re grateful to him for his hard work and commitment for the last five years. We wish him and Lorna and their young boys Scottie, Lucas and Robbie all the very best for their next exciting chapter back home in Galway.”

Muldoon added: “I’m hugely grateful to Pat and the Lansdown family for giving me the opportunity to begin my coaching career. I’ve learned so much during my time with the Bears and have met some incredible people along the way.

“We’ve built our family over here and built some strong relationships on and off the field. I’m excited about what the future holds but there’s obviously a tinge of sadness around leaving the Bears.

“I’m looking forward to signing off my time here with a strong finish to the season.”

London Irish can confirm the departure of Ollie Hassell-Collins from the Club at the end of the 2022/23 season. 

Hassell-Collins progressed from the Exiles’ Academy earning his first senior appearance in the 2018/19 season. 

The 24-year-old has since made 101 appearances for the Club and amassed 215 points and 43 tries scored as an Irish player, including to help lift the 2018/19 Championship to gain promotion to the Gallagher Premiership. He achieved his first caps for the England Senior team in this year’s 6 Nations Championship.

Director of Rugby Declan Kidney thanked Hassell-Collins for his immense efforts in his time with London Irish.

“I know that alongside his contributions for London Irish, Ollie as a person will always be remembered fondly by everyone at the Club and our supporters too. I have learned a lot from Ollie as a person.

“That is down to his personality and the hard work he has put in through the years to become the player that he is today, Leicester have gained a very valuable man on and off the field.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Ollie and his family for their time and effort over the years and wish them well for the future.”

Describing London Irish as “very special Club”, Ollie Hassell-Collins expressed his gratitude for the support received during his time in west London.

He said: “A decision to leave a place like London Irish is never an easy one, they have provided me with more than I can put into words in my time here, but I feel the time is right for a new challenge.

“Throughout my years with Irish and to this day, I have always been surrounded by excellent coaches, staff and players and I want to thank them for playing a very important role in my journey.

“There is still a lot to play for this season, and rest assured, I will do my utmost to repay the work put in and play my part in the really important games coming up for London Irish. 

“Finally, I want to thank the supporters of this very special Club for their support of me and the team through good times and bad, and I am confident that they will be rewarded for their continued faith in the Club very soon.”

Leicester Tigers have agreed a new deal with Mike Brown which will see the outside back remain at the club beyond the current season.

Brown joined Tigers on a short-term contract midway through the current campaign and, to date, has made 5 appearances and scored two tries.

The England international made the move to Leicester after stints with Harlequins, where he won two Premiership titles, and Newcastle Falcons.

Brown made 72 Test appearances for England between 2007-2018 during which he won three Six Nations titles.

Speaking about the new deal for Brown, Leicester Tigers Interim Head Coach Richard Wigglesworth said: “I am really pleased for Mike, who has earned the new deal with not only his performances in games but in the way he has come into the club and added to our group.”

“His experience has been invaluable and the professionalism he has is something that we have seen help improve his team mates here at the club.

“The circumstances in which Mike returned were unique and challenging, but you would never known by the way he has approached each day and this contract is just reward for that hard work.”

Discussing the new deal, Brown added: “Since arriving, I have been really impressed with the environment here at Leicester Tigers and feel that they fit with the values I have as a person and a rugby player.

“I have really enjoyed working the quality of players in this squad and coaches, which I want to continue to do and am excited to keep doing.

“The opportunity to play at Mattioli Woods Welford Road with the supporters this club has was something I wasn’t, admittedly, quite sure about after being an opposition player for so long, but they have welcomed me so well and it is great that I can keep doing that.

“It means so much to me to be able to represent a club of this magnitude and, hopefully, people have seen just how much I appreciate that opportunity.

“From the very first conversation I had with Wiggy, I said I wanted to contribute to the environment on and off the field; I want to set examples to the young lads and help them, but also make sure that when I get that chance to pull on the shirt, I am ready and can help the team be the very best it can be.”