Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie has quashed exit rumours by signing a one-year extension at Scotstoun.
Since being brought in from the Chiefs to succeed Gregor Townsend in 2017, the New Zealander has guided Warriors to the PRO14 semi-finals in his two seasons in charge.
And after extending his contract through to 2020, Rennie said it was an easy decision to make amid rumours he was courting interest from Rugby Australia as a possible replacement for Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
“I've really enjoyed my first two years in Glasgow,” Rennie told the club's official website. “It's a different challenge for me and there are really good people at the club, so it was an easy decision to stay.
“We didn't quite get to where we wanted last season, but we've got a better side this season and I think the squad we're building will be even better next season and I'm really keen to be a part of that.
“We're going to have a lot of guys away at the Rugby World Cup and then our Scotland players will play in the Six Nations, so we won't see a lot of those men, but we've got good depth and it'll be a great opportunity for others during that period, so there is so reason why we can't kick on.”
“It's an exciting time for the club and I really appreciate the support we are getting from Scottish Rugby, as we continue to build and develop our squad.”
Glasgow lie top of the PRO14's Conference A after a 30-7 victory over a resurgent Ulster last Friday. Despite holding the same record as second-place Munster, Rennie's side are top by the virtue of three more try-bonus points. As the PRO14 run-in nears the play-off stages, find the best odds at these bookmakers.
Scottish Rugby chief executive, Mark Dodson, said: “Dave is doing a great job in Glasgow and we're delighted he is staying to continue building Glasgow Warriors into one of the top teams in Europe.
“He has helped develop a number of young players over the last couple of years and got them into the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14.
“We're looking forward to seeing the team continue to develop under Dave and his coaching team next season.”
