O'Sullivan Extends Ireland Contract With Lions Proviso

Rugby union: Eddie O'Sullivan has signed a contract to coach Ireland until 2012, but he could take charge of the 2009 Lions tour.
Eddie O'Sullivan agreed a new four-year contract to remain as coach of Ireland yesterday but left the door open for him to take charge of the Lions tour to South Africa in 2009. A clause has been inserted in the contract that if O'Sullivan is appointed by the Lions he will be released for a year until the end of the tour.

Ireland are in the toughest of the four World Cup pools, along with the hosts France and Argentina, but the deal will keep O'Sullivan in place until 2012 and means he will become the longest-serving coach of any major nation, a position currently held by France's Bernard Laporte. "I see it as a vote of confidence in me and my staff at a critical point," he said.


© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 8/29/2007
 
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