 Berbizier has been in charge of Italy for two years |
Italy coach Pierre Berbizier will leave his job when his contract expires after the World Cup to return to France, says the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR). Under Berbizier's stewardship, Italy have made major progress on the international stage.
"Out of a personal choice, he said he wanted to go to France at the end of his deal," said an FIR representative.
Berbizier could be a contender to take over from France coach Bernard Laporte, who is retiring after the World Cup.
As a player, Berbizier won 56 caps for France at scrum-half, captaining the side 11 times.
He made his reputation as a coach when he took France to the semi-finals of the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.
He took charge of the Italian national side in April 2005 after John Kirwan was sacked.
This season, for the first time they won two Six Nations games, including their first away from home, against Scotland.
The Scots have a chance for revenge at the World Cup, when they line-up against Italy in Group C, along with favourites New Zealand, Namibia, Romania and debutants Portugal.
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