Jacques Brunel to succeed Nick Mallett as Italy coach

[TRF_Cymro]

Former France assistant coach Jacques Brunel is to become coach of Italy after the Rugby World Cup.

The 57-year-old will succeed Nick Mallett, whose contract expires after the tournament in New Zealand, held between 9 September and 23 October.

"I've thought about it for many weeks but this Italian offer is unique at my age," said Perpignan coach Brunel.

As assistant coach under Bernard Laporte, Brunel helped guide France to two World Cup semi-finals.

"It will certainly be the last [job] that I can take on. I want to seize this opportunity," added the Frenchman.

Mallett is due to step down from the post he has held since 2007, with Brunel set to sign a four-year contract which would take him up to the 2015 World Cup.

Brunel coached Perpignan to the French ***le in 2009 and to the Top 14 final last season, where they lost to Clermont Auvergne.

Jacques Delmas - former coach of Perigeux, Biaritz and Stade Francais - is being tipped as Brunel's replacement.

Meanwhile, Mallett has named a 24-man squad for the Azzurri's first two games of the Six Nations.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9365417.stm​

 

[Teh Mite]

Shame for Italy they have to suffer Mallet until then.

 

[durbutter]

I think Mallett has done a pretty good job for Italy. Well except for the Bergomasco at 9 thing......

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Ja, I think Mallett has pretty much contributed what he could. I know I for one wouldn't be too keen on a coach who keeps on saying; "yeah, we aren't really competative- if we lose by less than 10 I would be happy".

I remember in school we lost to a big school 106-15 in grade 11 and got a new coach the next year. He rallied us up so much we were all in tears before the kick-off and we knew this was our last chance to come good. Same schools, mostly same players from the year before and we were ahead 32-9 with 20 minutes to go. We lost a lot of ground in the last 20 due to being off of our feet tired but managed to hang on for a win. Only difference being attitude. They should get an Italian coach and some pride in the jersey going IMO.

Edit: De Kuilen vs Brackenfell in the WP for those who might be interested. De Kuilen is a decent enough rugby school now but no where near it when I was still at school (Andreis Bekker probably the only player of note and he left for Paul Roos after just a few years). Cobus Visagie at 1 stage, and 2 vodacom cup players as well could be mentioned.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Nick Mallett has Italy going backwards after the great job Pierre Berbizier did. If he wasn't a big name in the sport, Mallett's job would have been called into question by now.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Hopefully the new coach can realize something with the Azzuri

 

[Seaton]

Wonder where Mallet will go, could he be heading back to SA?

Doesn't seem to keen on coaching a club/provincial team