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Rugby Union

Ireland coach O'Sullivan signs new deal

29/08/2007

Eddie O'Sullivan has signed an extension to his current contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union to continue as head coach until after the 2012 Six Nations Championship.

Originally appointed in November 2001, the 48-year-old coach will now be kept on by the Irish RFU through the next Rugby World Cup in 2011.

He is currently in the midst of preparing for the upcoming tournament in France, which begins in less than a fortnight, and remarked that it is "a timely vote of confidence in me and my coaching staff".

"I am deeply honoured that the appointments committee of the IRFU should see fit to give me a further extension in my role as national coach at this time," he said, adding it comes at "a critical point when we are about to embark on our World Cup challenge".

"Another four years at the helm further helps me to plan a strategy for the national squad into the long term future and that is vital if we are to achieve all our shared ambitions for Irish rugby," he remarked.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne concurred, saying he was "delighted" to have agreed the contract at this time.

"As in pre-World Cup 2003, we believe today's announcement is a timely indication of our faith and confidence in the national coach and his playing squad as they are in final preparations for the upcoming World Cup in France," he said.

"We wish him, his management team and playing squad every success."

O'Sullivan, whose previous contract was due to expire after the Six Nations tournament in 2008, which could have made him available to coach the British and Irish Lions on their next tour in 2009.

However the agreement seems to cast doubt upon this possible appointment, with the selection panel for the Lions seemingly keen on having a full-time coach in place ahead of the South Africa trip.