Mallett denies departure from Stade Francais

STADE FRANCAIS coach Nick Mallett yesterday dismissed suggestions he is to leave the club, and insisted that he is fully focused on Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final with Munster at Thomond Park.

Mallett had been linked with Welsh side Gwent Dragons, who are currently under the stewardship of former Irish lineout coach Mike Ruddock.

Dragons owner Tony Brown had admitted interest in acquiring his services as a replacement for new Wales coach Ruddock. Said Mallett: “I don’t speak to owners of clubs. My agents do.”

Mallett, who coached the Springboks between 1997 and 2000, also confirmed that he had recently signed a two-year deal with Stade Français.

“They [Stade Français] can terminate my contract if they are disappointed in me and I can do the same if I’m disappointed,” he said.

“Sure, I’m a bit disappointed with our performances in the French championships this season, but there are logical reasons for that. There are 14 games in a season and you can’t afford to lose more than four.

“That is exactly what we did when our top players were away at the World Cup and that meant we had to win seven out of our last 10 matches to make the play-offs.

“The only satisfaction I’ve had so far this season was getting out of our pool in the Heineken Cup, with teams like Ulster and Leicester both quality sides, but now we have a tough draw ahead of us in the play-offs, with Munster at Thomond Park this weekend.”