Australian coach Lane confirmed as Lyon manager

Experienced Australian coach Tim Lane was appointed manager of French second-tier rugby side Lyon on Saturday, the club announced. The 53-year-old - who was backs coach in Australia's 1999 World Cup winning side - signed a two-year contract with the option of an extra year. He will officially take over on July 1. Lane - who also had a spell as backs coach with the Springboks - replaces Xavier Sadourny, who is set to join the coaching team at Top 14 and European Cup title-chasing outfit Clermont. Lyon have had a disappointing season under Sadourny despite possessing a budget of 15 million euros, the largest ever in ProD2. However, lying 6th in the table with three matches remaining they can still claim a place in the promotion play-offs if they finish fifth and join already promoted Oyonnax in the Top 14. Lyon, who were relegated from the Top 14 last season trail fifth-placed Aurillac by two points. Lane - who was capped three times at centre for the Wallabies - has previous coaching experience in France. He coached Clermont from 2000-01, and both Brive and Toulon but only for several months in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Source: AFP