Ireland coach Declan Kidney delivered a timely World Cup boost when he signed a contract extension which will take him through to the end of the 2012-13 season.
Kidney and assistant coaches Gert Smal, Les Kiss and Mark Tainton had already been contracted until the end of this year's World Cup which takes place in New Zealand in September and October.
"The next four months represent a big challenge," said Kidney, who guided Ireland to the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam.
"The hard work that the players, coaches and the Irish Rugby Football Union are putting into our preparations has been immense and I believe that if we maintain this level of commitment to each other, we will be in a good place come August and the World Cup in September."
Ireland play Scotland, France twice and England in August as part of their preparations for the World Cup.
Kidney's team, who are in Pool C at the World Cup along with Australia, the USA, Russia and Italy, begin their campaign the Americans in New Plymouth on September 11.
AFP
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