Smal to rejoin Irish coaching team for New Zealand tour

Gert Smal will rejoin the Ireland management team for next month’s three test series against New Zealand.

The forwards coach missed the final three weeks of the Six Nations due to an eye complaint. However, he has received a clean bill of health from medics and is relishing a return to duties alongside Les Kiss and Declan Kidney.

Smal said: “I’m looking forward to getting back to working with the players again and it was great to meet up with them last week at our squad get-together for the first time since I had to take time off.