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Gaffney on board with Ireland

Tuesday 05th August 2008

Wise old hand: Alan Gaffney

Ireland have recruited former Saracens and Munster rugby director Alan Gaffney as backs coach.

And new Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has also handed ex-Bristol fly-half Mark Tainton the role of kicking coach, a position he held with Ireland from 2003 until the end of last season's Six Nations Championship.

Australian Gaffney, who led Saracens to the Heineken Cup semi-finals last term, will combine his Ireland role with a coaching position he recently took up at Magners League champions Leinster.

"We are delighted to have both Alan and Mark on board with Ireland," Kidney said.

"Both of them are extremely strong technical coaches in their areas, and I think they will bring a further positive mix to the coaching team and squad.

"Alan brings with him experience of both international and most importantly, Irish rugby.

"Mark is recognised as one of the top kicking coaches in the world, and his experience of working with the squad in the past will help with the transition over the next number of weeks."

In Gaffney's three seasons with Munster, they won the Celtic League, Celtic Cup and were twice Heineken Cup semi-finalists. He took over at Saracens in 2005.

Tainton, meanwhile, scored more than 3,000 points during his playing career, retiring from competitive rugby in 1997.

As a coach, he worked with Richmond, Oxford University and Munster, before linking up with Ireland in 2003.