Carry on Kidney

THE IRFU announced contract extensions for Declan Kidney and three of his management team yesterday, which will see them remain in charge of the Irish team until the end of the 2012-13 season which coincides with the next British and Irish Lions Tour.

Gert Smal, Less Kiss and Mark Tainton are the others who have put pen to paper, with Alan Gaffney opting to return to his native Australia where he plans to continue involvement with elite rugby coaching.

Kidney and his management team were already under contract until the end of the upcoming World Cup but the decision to extend that tenure is reminiscent of similar deals for previous coach Eddie O’Sullivan which were made prior to the 2003 and 2007 tournaments.