David Nucifora has been rewarded for Ireland's meteoric rise in world rugby with a three-year contract extension as its performance director.
The new deal announced by the Irish Rugby Football Union will take the two-times capped Wallabies hooker and former Brumbies and Blues Super Rugby coach through to the end of the 2021-22 season.
Ireland's high performance teams have experienced a period of unparalleled success since Nucifora's appointment in 2014.
At senior level Ireland won Six Nations titles in 2015 and 2018 and have beaten all three leading southern hemisphere countries New Zealand, Australia and South Africa
Ireland's under-20s achieved a Six Nations Grand Slam this year and the country finished second at the 2016 junior world championships,
Their women won a Six Nations title in 2015, qualification was achieved for both the women and men onto the Sevens World Series, Leinster won Champions Cup and PRO titles in 2018 and Connacht captured the PRO trophy in 2016.
Nucifora is responsible for developing and advancing the professional game in Ireland.
That included the elite-player development pathway, succession planning, professional coach development and overseeing all representative team performances from the provinces through to underage sides and the Ireland national teams.
"David has delivered across a huge number of areas," IRFU CEO Philip Browne said.
"Irish Rugby is in a better place for the experience, leadership and passion he has brought to the role.
"We are delighted that he has agreed to continue this important work over the coming years."
Prior to moving to Ireland, Nucifora was the general manager of the Australian Rugby Union's high performance unit from mid-2008 until he resigned in December 2012, and also coached the national under-20 team
"I am delighted to sign up for another three years, myself and my family have really enjoyed our time in Ireland to date," Nucifora said.
"I am excited about the prospect of driving further advancements in Irish Rugby's performance pathway."
