Friday 1 July 2016 13:43, UK
London Irish have appointed Brendan Venter as their technical director for next season.
The 46-year-old South African takes charge after New Zealander Tom Coventry resigned as head coach last month following the Exiles' relegation from the Premiership.
Venter, a qualified doctor, will renew an association with London Irish that first began in 1998 when he joined them as a centre for a two-year stint, going on to make 84 appearances in two spells with the club after rejoining them as player-coach in 2001.
He has also won the World Cup as a player with South Africa in 1995 and has been in charge at Saracens and Sharks.
Venter will now prepare the Irish squad for next season's Championship campaign, for which Nick Kennedy has been appointed as the club's director of rugby with Clark Laidlaw as assistant coach.
George Skivington and Academy coaches Declan Danaher and Paul Hodgson will assist with coaching the senior squad, Danaher overseeing defence, while Hodgson will focus on skills and Skivington will work with the forwards.
Venter told the club's official website: "The main reason why I decided on London Irish is because I have so many good memories and friends still at the club which made for me a sound and easy decision to be part of the club going forward.
"The club has genuine ambition to compete in the Premiership and in Europe and has the foundations in place to enable it to do so. I'm looking forward to working with the players, coaches, board and management to realise the club's ambitions."
London Irish chief executive Bob Casey said: "Not only is Brendan respected throughout the game for his expertise and experience, he has also been a steadfast friend of this club.
"We're delighted that he has accepted our invitation to return to lead us through what we know will be a testing season in the Championship."
