REPORTS IN FRANCE suggest that Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes will leave the province at the end of the season in order to take up a position with Clermont.
The move would be a huge blow for Leinster, with Gibbes’ contributions crucial to the three Heineken Cups won by Leinster since 2009. The New Zealander arrived in Ireland in 2008 under Michael Chieka and has grown into a popular and influential figure within the Leinster set-up.
Clermont have been searching for a forwards coach since Vern Cotter announced that he will be taking up the Scotland job in 2014, with the likes of Robbie Deans, Raphaël Ibañez, Richard Cockerill and even Irishman Jeremy Davidson already linked to the Auvergne-based club.
The report on Rugbyrama.fr says that Gibbes will replace Cotter as the man responsible for the forwards, but that Clermont’s current backs guru Franck Azema will assume the position of head coach. Gibbes has previously stated his desire to take up a head coaching role, but it appears he is happy to wait a little longer for that opportunity, if this report is to be believed.
36-year-old Gibbes won eight caps for the All Blacks and captained the Chiefs in Super Rugby during his playing days, before studying under the likes of John Mitchell, Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen when he turned to coaching.
Leinster Rugby had no comment to make at the time of publishing.
