Heineken Cup winning hooker Raphael Ibanez has taken his first steps towards a coaching career by being appointed forwards coach at London Wasps Academy.
Ibanez has taken on the role and extended his contract with the defending Heineken Cup holders until 2009.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity I have next season to get involved with the Wasps Academy and do a bit of coaching', said the 85-times-capped former French captain.
Ibanez was one of the key players in the 2007 Heineken Cup final at Twickenham and scored one of the Wasps' two tries in their victory over Leicester Tigers.
After 12 years as a player in the highest level of rugby, the Dax native still has the motivation and the desire to improve himself, "I'm very pleased to be staying at Wasps for another year," he said.
Ibanez has made 37 Heineken Cup appearances and said, "I still have the fire for competition on the pitch and I believe I can continue to be effective as a player.
"Living and learning from a different culture has been very valuable but I also believe rugby is about passion, and I have a strong passion for Wasps, which made my decision easy."
