Highlanders coach Tony Brown appears to be in demand again.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown has been linked to a move to Ireland to coach Connacht.

The Sunday Times in Britain claims former All Blacks first-five Brown "has emerged as the leading contender to replace Pat Lam as Connacht's director of rugby next season".

The 41-year-old Brown has signed a one-year deal at the Highlanders to replace Jamie Joseph who has taken over the Japan national team.

Many expect Brown to eventually follow Joseph to Japan and help with the pressures of their home appearance as hosts of the next World Cup in 2019.

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The Sunday Times felt Brown's appeal for flowing rugby suited the Connacht approach encouraged by Lam.

"Brown already has a family link to the club, as his brother Cory worked for several years as an elite player development officer in the province," the paper reported.

They also suggested that former All Blacks prop and Crusaders assistant coach Dave Hewett could be eyeing a role at Ulster as forwards coach.