McGahan extends contract at Munster

MUNSTER HAVE confirmed that coach Tony McGahan has agreed a contract extension that will see him stay with the Irish province until at least the end of the 2011-2012 season. The 37-year-old Australian took over from current Ireland coach Declan Kidney at the start of the season having previously fulfilled the defence coach position since 2005.

It was a role he expanded into skills and backs coach before taking charge when Kidney left to head the national management team. Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald said: “We’re obviously delighted that we have come to agreement with Tony for the immediate future.

“He has shown, in his short space of time as a head coach, that he has all the attributes to keep Munster Rugby to the forefront of the international club game, while at the same time ensuring players have the required skill sets for the international game.”

McGahan, who will welcome back his international contingent for a Magners League game against the Ospreys this weekend admitted: “I’m very pleased to be remaining on here for the next number of seasons. It’s been a privilege to be involved with this group of players and the management and officials here in Munster.”

McGahan has organised a two-day camp for his squad in Tipperary this week and the players will be introduced to the province’s newest arrival, South African Wian du Preez, who has joined Munster on a three-month contract until the end of January.

The prop comes in to shore up the loosehead position, although the news on one of the players he is covering for, Marcus Horan, is good in that he has resumed light training after a successful medical procedure.

Meanwhile Ulster may be forced to plan without Brendon James (BJ) Botha after the South Africa born prop suggested he might return home when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 29 year-old produced another excellent performance against Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday after being called into the Springbok squad as cover during their November tour.

The former Sharks tighthead, who joined Ulster prior to the start of the 2008-2009 season, has had his appetite for Test rugby rekindled in winning his 19th cap for his country at the weekend and now has ambitions to be involved in the defence of the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.

Botha admitted: “South Africa is my priority and there is nothing like wearing your country’s shirt. I have a contract with Ulster until the end of the season and then I will make my decision about the future.

“With the World Cup coming up, that’s the goal you definitely want to aim for. But before that, you have to be involved as they build a team through to the World Cup. You can’t just arrive and expect to be selected in the ’Boks squad a couple of weeks before the World Cup.

“Anyone who wants to go to the World Cup is definitely going to have to be involved there as they build their squad towards it.”