Italy secure defence coach until 2020

Marius Goosen will remain as Italy defensive coach until 2020 "giving continuity to the relationship started in the summer of 2016," the Italian rugby federation

The 47-year-old South African who is also the director of rugby at Italian Pro14 franchise Treviso has been part of the national setup since the arrival of Irishman Conor O'Shea as head coach in March 2016.

"I'm happy to be able to continue working with the federation and with Italy, the country that welcomed me fifteen years ago, and to continue the growth path started in the last year and a half, with the arrival of Conor in Italy," said former wing Goosen who arrived in Italy to play for club side Roma in 2004, before playing for Treviso.

"We still have a long way to go to be more competitive, but the collaboration between the National team and the two franchises has never been so profitable.

"I thank the Federation and Conor for allowing me to continue my experience with the national team until after the Rugby World Cup 2019, which is the first medium-long term goal of this group."