Jimmy Duffy joined the province as Forwards Coach ahead of the 2026/27 season on a two-year deal.

A vastly experienced coach who specialises in developing and nurturing young talent, Duffy is a former Connacht lock who played a key role as Assistant Coach in the province’s 2016 PRO12 title win.

As a player, he lined out for his province, the Ireland U21s, Ireland A and the Barbarians before his promising playing career was cut short at the age of just 21 for medical reasons.

From there he started coaching at junior level before progressing through the coaching system – working as a Coach Development Officer at grassroots level and as an Elite Player Development Officer in the Connacht Academy.

He worked with young players as Head Coach of the Connacht U20s and also held Assistant Coach roles with the Connacht Eagles and the Ireland U18 Clubs team over a number of years.

After earning a promotion to the role of Assistant Coach with Connacht in 2015, his first season with the senior men’s team saw them capture the PRO12 title.

Duffy spent six years on the Connacht coaching team before opting to move on for a new challenge in 2021.

He was involved with the Tonga national team on their northern Hemisphere tour in 2021 and joined the Ireland U20s coaching team in 2022, helping the side to a Grand Slam title.

The former lock moved to Australia in 2022 and joined Super Rugby outfit Western Force as Forwards Coach.

After two successful years in Perth, he returned to Ireland and has spent the past two seasons at Ulster Rugby, playing an important role in developing the province’s forward talent.