Cork rugby side secure coaching coup with appointment of Top 14 veteran

From coaching forwards in Europe's most demanding league to running the whole show in South Cork.

Régis Sonnes has been coaching the Bordeaux Bégles forwards for the past four seasons but, at 43, he fancies a change of scenery. As each and every member of Ireland's 2007 World Cup squad can tell you, Bordeaux is not exactly a thriving metropolitan hub. It's a functional, industrial town with a deeply ingrained love of rugby. Sonnes will find a similar passion for the oval ball in Cork but the scenery and surrounds are the trump card. The pace of life is somewhat less frantic too. That, says Sonnes, is one of the main reasons he is taking a pay-cut to become Director of Rugby at Bandon RFC, who play in the Munster Junior League. The former Toulouse forward will also take up a similar role with Bandon Grammar School, who have some good pedigree in Munster Senior and Junior Cup competitions. Sonnes told 20 Minutes:

"I'll be the director of rugby Bandon RFC, in charge of the first team and development of the club. They are an amateur club the third level of Irish rugby. They are engaged in the Munster provincial competitions and, from what I understand, the best qualify for a national championship. "And I'll also be at Bandon Grammar School, where rugby is integrated in the education of students, who range between 12 and 18 years."

It will be interesting to see how Sonnes gets on with the club and school sides over the next couple of years.