Rugby:Former Australian sevens coach Billy Millard has joined Connacht as their new backs coach on a two year deal.

Millard spent two years with the Cardiff Blues before taking a year off with family in Australia.

As a highly respected coach, Millard brings a wealth of experience to the Connacht set up. Aside from his Australia sevens role he was also head coach of Sydney University and the Melbourne Rebels.

Players such as scrumhalf Luke Burgess, fullback Ashley Cooper, wingers Drew Mitchell and Digby Ioane and James O'Connor have all benefited from Millard’s coaching expertise.

He led Sydney University back to back Premierships in 2005 and 2006 and took the Melbourne Rebels to the Grand Final of the Australian Rugby Championship.

In his time at Cardiff they reached the quarter and semi finals of the Heineken Cup and won both the EDF Energy Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup.

“I’m really looking forward to joining Connacht,” said Millard. “It is a very exciting time for both me and the club as Connacht head into their first season of Heineken Cup rugby. I look forward to working with Eric Elwood and the rest of the coaching team in helping to develop the squad for the season to come.”