Willie Anderson yesterday signed a three-year contract as Director of Rugby with Dungannon. Anderson returned to the Co Tyrone club seven weeks ago on a temporary coaching basis after he was sacked by London Irish, but up until the weekend his long-term future at Stevenson Park was far from certain.

Victory over Buccaneers in the first leg of the promotion-relegation playoff has left Dungannon ideally placed to retain their All-Ireland League Division One status.

Now Anderson has been given the job of steering the club into the new millennium, having succeeded in guiding them away from what looked certain automatic relegation. He said he was happy to be back at Stevenson Park, having benefited from his short tenure with London Irish, despite the manner of his departure.

"I certainly learned a lot about professional rugby, about the management of players and their needs, and that will be of great benefit in helping Dungannon to achieve their goals.

"Off the pitch, I have worked very hard to become very business-minded." Dungannon face Buccaneers in the second leg of the play-off at home next Saturday.

Italy and Holland have clinched places in the next European qualifying round of the 1999 World Cup, which will involve England, Scotland and Ireland in the autumn. Italy overpowered Russia 44-18, while Holland beat Belgium 19-16 in Brussels.