He is returing to France: Jono Gibbes takes La Rochelle job

The New Zealander has agreed a four-year contract with the French club, with whom he held initial talks in May.

Gibbes has returned to his native country for personal reasons and will honour his commitment to take charge of Waikato for a couple of months.

He spent just one season at Ulster before being granted an early release from his contract for "family reasons".

The 41-year-old was promoted to the role of head coach at Kingspan Stadium in January following the departure of director of rugby Les Kiss.

Gibbes flew to the west of France to hold talks with La Rochelle during a rest day for the Ulster squad ahead of their Champions Cup play-off win over the Ospreys on 20 May.

The former Leinster and Clermont Auvergne forwards coach had agreed to become head coach of Waikato in the Mitre Cup and will occupy that role before returning to Europe in the autumn.

La Rochelle finished outside the play-off places in the Top14 table this season and were seeking a successor to Patrice Collazo, who stepped down after seven years in charge.