Mitchell signs up with Lions

Johannesburg - The Golden Lions Rugby Union has recruited Western Force head coach John Mitchell as a member of its 2010 Xerox Lions Absa Currie Cup coaching team.

"After much speculation in the media and public following discussions with John, it gives me great pleasure to confirm that he will be joining us shortly in a coaching consultancy," CEO Manie Reyneke said Sunday.

GLRU director of coaching, Dick Muir, will be with the Springboks during the 2010 Tri-Nations in his capacity as backline coach, and will return to the Lions during the final four to six weeks of the Currie Cup.

During his absence, Mitchell will head the coaching team and will work closely with Muir during the final weeks of the competition.

Working with Mitchell will be Johan Ackermann, who will continue as the teams' forwards coach, while Carlos Spencer will take on a coaching role as backline coach.

Mitchell, who is contracted to the Western Force until the end of the 2011 Super 15 competition, will return to Perth at the end of the Currie Cup competition to prepare the Australian franchise for the 2011 competition.