Harlequins defence coach Jerry Flannery is to leave the Gallagher Premiership club to take up a position with world champions South Africa.
The former Ireland hooker will depart after the high-profile friendly clash with Munster on February 23 to join forces with Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus once again.
Flannery, who joined Quins in 2020 and was part of the coaching team who led them to the league title a year later, said in a club statement: “I have loved my time at Harlequins working alongside a talented young group of coaches and players.
“The opportunity to move into international rugby and to work alongside Rassie Erasmus again after our time at Munster was very appealing and I would like to thank Harlequins for supporting my desire to take up this opportunity to develop my career.”
Harlequins currently lie second in the table behind Northampton and are confident they can plug the gap left by Flannery.
Director of rugby Billy Millard said: “We will be sorry to see Jerry go as he is a big character and can be very proud of his achievements at Harlequins.
“We wish him well as he moves into international rugby and continues to develop his career. He will always be welcome at The Stoop.
“For the rest of this season, we have a very strong group of coaches and are very fortunate to have assistant defence coach Jordan Turner-Hall with us, and the resources and structure to achieve our goals.”
