Bath Head coach: Brian Ashton is to take over from Australian John Connolly as Bath's head coach.

Ashton - who coached Bath between between 1989 and 1996 - was Irish national coach for two years, and served as part of Clive Woodward's England backroom team.

"I have always seen my main strength as coaching, and the move to Bath gives me the opportunity to do hands-on coaching on a daily basis," said Ashton.

Bath - who are in the same Heineken European Cup group as Leinster - have confirmed that Connolly will continue in his role until the end of this month, with Ashton officially starting work on January 1st.

Australians Michael Foley and Richard Graham will take charge during December.