Arrivederci to Mallet: Italian federation line up Brunel to take over after World Cup

ALL IN THE SCRUM:A rugby miscellany

NICK Mallett’s tenure as Italy coach will finish after this year’s World Cup according to the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).

The South African’s contract expires at the end of the global tournament in New Zealand and won’t be renewed. Perpignan’s Jacques Brunel is favourite to succeed Mallett.

Italy beat France for the first time in this year’s Six Nations but that proved to be their only victory and the Azzurri finished with a wooden spoon for the second straight season.

A statement from the FIR read: “The president of the Italian rugby Federation Giancarlo Dondi met coach, Nick Mallett to inform him personally of the decision taken by the federal council regarding his eventual contract extension.

“The president has thanked the coach for the work done in charge of the national team and for what he will do until the end of his contract, which will expire after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand in the months of September and October. The decision taken by the federal council is not to continue with Nick Mallett after his contract expires.”

The FIR cited past experience in their decision to freshen up the national team manager structure.

The 54-year-old Mallett replaced Pierre Berbizier as Italy coach following the last World Cup in France (October 2007) and the South African had expressed his wish to continue in his position.

The statement concluded: “The decision by the federal council is based on past experience, of how a relation of more than four years in charge of the national team may not bring the wanted results.”

Brunel has been linked with the Italy job since the beginning of the year when it is believed the FIR made an “informal” approach. Although no deal is thought to have yet been signed, the 57-year-old is expected to sign a commitment at the end of the season.

Wild Geese: promoted to English National Leagues

THE amateur wing of London Irish Amateur RFC, “The Wild Geese”, achieved promotion to the English National Leagues by beating Sidcup of Kent 21-14 in Sunbury at the weekend.

The win sealed a second straight promotion for the Geese who only last year made it into London Division One South.

Lewis Chance scored two tries, with former St Michael’s College and Lansdowne speedster Karl Becker scoring one and Liam Prescott bagging two penalties and one drop goal.

The Geese were well ahead at the break but were made to fight in the second half with Sidcup ensuring there was a tight finish.

The Wild Geese are captained by Dungannon lock David Reilly and feature sons of former Irish internationals in Sam McKinney (son of Stewart) and Karl Becker (Vincent), and all three players fathers were in attendance on Saturday.

The side are coached by Paul Dunne, brother of Old Belvedere player coach Andy Dunne. Toulouse: in form ahead of Leinster tie

TOULOUSE secured a berth in the semi-finals of the French Top 14 Championship and warmed up for their clash with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday with a 33-0 victory over bottom side Bourgoin at the Stade Ernest Wallon. Vincent Clerc grabbed two tries in the opening 11 minutes, both of which were converted by outhalf David Skrela, to give the hosts the perfect start.

Fellow wing Maxime Medard crossed for his side’s third in the 20th minute with Skrela again converting. French captain and Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir confirmed his rehabilitation from injury and managed to cross for a try as did Yannick Jauzion. Scrumhalf Jean Marc Doussain converted to finish the scoring.

Tune in: To hear Michalak’s decision over new contract

SPEAKING of matters Toulouse, Frédéric Michalak has chosen a rather novel way of letting the club know whether he will agree a contract extension. He’ll announce it on Toulouse FM tomorrow.

The new contract is reported to include a pay cut and with Wallaby scrumhalf Luke Burgess and All Black outhalf Luke McAlister on their way to Toulouse next season, his role in the first team is in doubt.

Coach Guy Novès insists Michalak stalled on talks over his role next season which contributed to the recruitment of the foreign stars. “We set out our plans to Fred. He took a very long time to make a decision. I said I saw him playing at nine next season and he didn’t know how to answer me. I gave him a month and a half to reflect on it . . . We have to move forward, to move quickly. We have signed two Southern Hemisphere players. We like Fred. I gave him his chance at 18; I am very attached to him. If he chooses other climes, we will try to help him leave on the best terms.”

Michalak has held talks with Biarritz and has been linked to the Rebels or the Waratahs in Super Rugby as well as Lyon, who are set to be promoted to the Top 14.