It’s over for me. I enjoyed these two seasons like none of the previous ones, I feel grateful to have had the privilege of taking charge of a team like ours. I have met and worked with fantastic people, the players, the staff, the referees, the tournament officials and the NRF. Working with rugby again was awesome. It felt like home, being part of a family.

I have stressed like I hadn’t for years before important games. I have laughed like I was 20 again. I have met great people – all nice, clever, humble and generous. I have been taken by the emotion of winning key games. I have seen players giving it all. I have felt the deep disappointment of the close defeat. These tournaments expose us to a whole range of emotions… I also have been to those places I would never travel to, met the kindest people, lived the life of the locals for a few days.

In its core, rugby hasn’t changed much since I first coached in 2005. It’s a bit more professional, but the spirit and the values are as strong as before.

It will never cease to amaze me to see players throwing themselves in tackles, exposing their entire body without restrain, finding ways of remobilizing after a defeat, giving it all again and again. And shaking the opponents’ hand with respect after every game.

Thanks to everyone who supported us, to the club coaches who develop the players we have the privilege to work with. Good luck to Germany and Romania in Kazan and in the Grand Prix next year. Thanks to Finland and Denmark for the good collaboration and the great spirit. I say it’s over but maybe we may have a last tournament before I hand the team over to the next coach… I hear rumors of a Nordic tournament in November 🙂