Stirling previously coached Wellington B in New Zealand

Cornish Pirates high performance manager Chris Stirling has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2012.

The 48-year-old, who took control of first team affairs in January 2009, guided the Pirates to victory in the British & Irish Cup last term.

He told BBC Sport: "Last year we created a foundation to build on and that's what we're planning now.

"It's not going to be easy, but we have the opportunity to improve further."

The New Zealander added that the success of local rivals Exeter Chiefs, who were promoted to the Premiership in May, would hopefully spur his own team on.

Stirling said: "I'm extremely happy for Exeter, they built a foundation for hard work and it's something that we'd love to emulate down here."

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