DECLAN KIDNEY HAS signed a contract extension which will see him remain as Ireland’s head coach until the end of the 2012/2013 season, the IRFU announced this evening.
Just seven weeks before the start of the Rugby World Cup, the announcement comes as a huge vote of confidence in the Grand Slam-winning coach whose management style has been under scrutiny in recent months.
Kidney’s current deal was due to expire at the end of the World Cup and it was widely expected that the IRFU would wait to assess the team’s performance in Australia before any new deal was offered.
“It has been a privilege over the last three years to have been involved with the Ireland team and so I am delighted that the IRFU have offered me the opportunity to continue that work,” the former Leinster and Munster boss said this evening.
To be able to work with the level of players and coaches that Ireland have had during that time is a chance that very few get, so it has been a wonderful experience.
Assistant coaches Gert Smal, Les Kiss & Mark Tainton have all penned similar extensions, but Alan Gaffney will not continue on in his position as backs coach after the World Cup, opting instead to return home to Australia where he will continue to focus on elite coaching.
“Alan is contributing a huge amount to the progress of the squad,” Kidney said, “and I know that he will make a positive contribution with his vast rugby knowledge and skills to whatever area he gets involved in.”
The IRFU confirmed this evening that no decision will be made on Gaffney’s replacement until after the World Cup.
The team begin their preparations for the World Cup with a trip to Murrayfield for a warm-up match against Scotland on 6 August.
