IRFU's David Nucifora to take up advisory role with Rugby Australia in 2024

Outgoing IRFU director of high performance David Nucifora is returning home to take up an advisory role with Rugby Australia.

In the wake of the Wallabies' disastrous 2023 World Cup, Rugby Australia have appointed Peter Horne as their new director of high performance.

The Sydney-born Horne, not to be confused with the Scottish rugby international, has spent the past 11 years as World Rugby's director of high performance. He has also previously worked with Saracens and Samoa.

Alongside this announcement, RA confirmed that Nucifora would be rejoining as a high performance advisor once his ten-year tenure with Ireland concludes next summer.

"As a proud Australian I'm excited by the opportunity to advise Australian Rugby as it embarks on what is a critical time for the game in our country," said Nucifora.

"The necessary reform of the high-performance model is long overdue and my experience with Ireland gives me great hope for what can be achieved in the game in Australia.

"I look forward to working with Peter, Phil and the Australian Super Rugby Pacific clubs to help rugby in Australia realise its potential and I would like to thank the IRFU for their considered support in allowing me to assist Australian Rugby at this very important time.

"I still have much to achieve with Irish Rugby over the coming seven months before returning home to Australia in August."

Nucifora has served as Irish rugby's high performance director since 2014, during which the men's national team secured three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, and reached No 1 in the world.

In reporting his return down under, the Rugby.AU website wrote: "Nucifora is credited as the architect behind Ireland's success in becoming the number one men's XV side in the