Italy coach Berbizier to quit after World Cup

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier will step down from his post when his contract expires at the end of the World Cup in France, the Italian Rugby Federation said.

"Pierre Berbizier has expressed his wish, for personal reasons, to return to France at the end of his contract," read a statement.

"For now, the only thing I want to say is that I'm in Rome, and I'm working to make the World Cup an unforgettable one for Italy and their fans," Berbizier said.

The 48-year-old Frenchman's decision to quit will be a huge blow to Italian rugby, which has flourished under his leadership.

Italy had just come off the back of a miserable Six Nations tournament when he took up the post in April 2005.

Berbizier's influence was felt just two months later, however, when they beat Argentina in Cordoba - their first ever away win over the Pumas.

Last place in the 2006 Six Nations masked a series of lively performances in which they held second-half leads over England and France.

In this year's Six Nations, the Azzurri recorded back-to-back wins over Scotland and Wales - the first time they had won two games in the same tournament - to finish fourth, their best placing since joining in 2000.

At the World Cup in France, where they start in Pool C alongside New Zealand, Scotland, Romania and Portugal, they stand their best chance of reaching the knockout stage.

"I'm disappointed, but I respect his decision to return home," Italy captain Marco Bortolami said.

"Now we want him to go out on a high at the World Cup."

Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco said he had hoped Berbizier would stay.

"It's a shame because with him Italy have made a constant improvement," he said.

The World Cup kicks off on September 7 with France taking on Argentina at the Stade de France in Paris, and concludes on October 20 with the final at the same venue.