O’Shea steps down as Italy head coach

Conor O’Shea believes he has left Italian rugby in a better place after stepping down as head coach.

The Irishman won nine of his 40 matches in charge of the Azzurri since taking charge in May 2016, including a first-ever victory against world champions South Africa.

Italy will now have a new person at the helm for the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, which for them starts in Cardiff against defending champions Wales on February 1.

O’Shea said: “We have started a process and generated a new, well-founded hope, but I also believe that the end of the World Cup represents the best time for everyone to make changes ahead of the new cycle.

“I have built friendships and made experiences I will never forget. The job of all of us is to leave the shirt in a better place than that in which we found it. I sincerely hope to have left the Italian rugby in a better position.

“The young people who are coming enter to become part of a system that, continuing with the right decisions, can only improve in the years to come.”

Alfredo Gavazzi, president of the Italian Rugby Federation, thanked O’Shea for his efforts.

He said: “We are saddened by Conor’s decision not to complete the journey as contractually intended. We thank him for the commitment and passion with which he has held his own role in these years and we wish him the best professional successes in the tasks that he will cover.”

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Source: 6 Nations