Italy has confirmed that Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel will replace Nick Mallett, who will leave the post when his contract expires after the World Cup later this year.
Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) president Giancarlo Dondi said: “Jacques Brunel has not yet signed his contract but he will be named coach in the coming days.”
Mallett, 54, succeeded Pierre Berbizier as Italy coach in October 2007 and had expressed his wish to sign a new deal with the Azzurri.
But in a statement released last Saturday, the FIR said they would not be renewing the South Africa’s contract.
The statement read: “The decision is based on previous experience that contracts lasting more than four years do not always produce the expected results.”
The Azzurri have won five Six Nations championship matches since South African Mallett took over from France's Pierre Berbizier after the 2007 World Cup. Italy stunned France in this year’s competition, beating them 22-21 in Rome.
