Glasgow: Coach Dan McFarland to switch from Connacht

Dan McFarland (left) coached Ireland Wolfhounds this year

Connacht assistant coach Dan McFarland will switch to Pro12 rivals Glasgow Warriors in the summer.

The former Ireland Wolfhounds coach, 43, succeeds Shade Munro as forwards coach with the Scotstoun outfit.

Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "Dan has done a fantastic job at Connacht over the last nine years and is a high-quality technical coach.

"He has an excellent reputation. It's great news that he's joining us and I'm sure he will be an excellent addition."

Glasgow announced in March that Munro's contract would not be renewed at the end of the season, the 48-year-old former Scotland lock having spent 12 years as part of the backroom team.

Connacht had already announced McFarland's pending departure and started their search for a replacement.

Now Glasgow have announced his destination and that he will work alongside Townsend and assistants Matt Taylor and Kenny Murray.

Forwards coach Shade Munro is leaving Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season

"We believe that he will play a key role in helping to develop a number of our younger players, which he has done really well at Connacht," Townsend added.

McFarland, who played at prop with Connacht, Richmond and Stade Francais, was appointed forwards coach at the Sportsground in 2006 and then assistant coach in 2010.

In 2007, he also linked up with Eric Elwood to guide the Ireland Under-20s to a grand slam of victories in the Six Nations Championship.

McFarland also has coaching experience with Emerging Ireland tours and, in January, the Ireland Wolfhounds.

He said: "Connacht has been such a large part of my life for such a long time, but I'm excited about this next stage of my career.

"Glasgow regularly finish in the top four in the Guinness Pro12 and have made huge progress over the last few seasons, reaching their first major final last year.

"I'm looking forward to moving to Glasgow with my family at the end of the season and working with the players and coaches over the summer to prepare for the new campaign."