Berbizier set for Kirwan's Italian job
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Italian Rugby Federation president, Giancarlo Dondi, believes he will be in a position to name a new coach for the national team early next week.
The Italian Rugby Federation president, Giancarlo Dondi, believes he will be in a position to name a new coach for the national team early next week.
Reports suggest that a Frenchman - possibly the former France scrum-half and coach Pierre Berbizier - has been shortlisted, but Dondi claimed no deal is yet done to name a successor to John Kirwan.
"We have talked a lot with him [the new coach] in the last few days and to be honest both parties are happy about everything," he said. "But he wants a few more days to decide. I'm sure on Monday or Tuesday we will have his final decision, which hopefully will be positive for us."
Kirwan was sacked after Italy lost all their matches in this year's Six Nations Championship.
In the Super 12 yesterday the All Black scrum-half Byron Kelleher scored two tries and laid on a third as the Chiefs thrashed South Africa's Cats 45-14 in Hamilton. Kelleher scored the opening try in the 13th minute, when he darted over from the back of a ruck, and crossed again in the second half.
Kelleher also set up a try for the lock Bernie Upton as the Chiefs gained a third win of the season. The Cats, second from bottom in the table, managed consolation tries from their full-back Conrad Jantjes and the back-rower Juan Smith.
In Durban, the South African Rugby Union announced that a Central Unions franchise will be its fifth team for the expanded Super 14 in 2006.
The franchise, which includes the Free State, Griqualand West and Griffons unions, is likely produce a team known as the Central Cheetahs. The area was awarded the franchise ahead of the Southern and Eastern Cape, which had the support of the South African sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile.
The four existing teams - the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Cats - will continue but will have to utilise players from smaller unions and play some matches away from their main centres in an effort to spread the game.
The five regions will be based in the five major centres of rugby in the country: Johannesburg (Cats), Pretoria (Bulls), Cape Town (Stormers), Durban (Sharks) and Bloemfontein (Cheetahs).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments