Warriors’ Director of Rugby Alan Solomons has finalised his coaching team for the 2020/21 season with Defence Coach Omar Mouneimne and Head of Performance Johan Pretorius both signing contract extensions.
Mouneimne will form part of a new-look coaching team alongside former Warriors captain Jonathan Thomas, who is returning from Bristol Bears as Forwards Coach. Former Wales Backs Coach Matt Sherratt will also be returning to Sixways – having started his coaching career in the Warriors’ Academy – from Ospreys as Backs and Attack Coach with Mark Irish also joining from Bristol as Scrum Coach.
Both Mouneimne and Pretorius have had previously worked closely with Solomons in South Africa before joining Warriors.
“It is fantastic news for the club that Omar has decided to extend his stay here at Sixways,” Solomons said.
“He is a world-class defence coach, who has had a huge impact on the team over a number of years.
“Over and above this, he is a quality bloke, who puts his heart and soul into Warriors. I have worked with Omar for many years and greatly value his enormous contribution.
“I thoroughly enjoy working with him and look forward to us continuing to work together as we look to progress the team.”
Mouneimne joined Warriors in 2017 having previously worked as Italy’s Defence Coach when they beat France for the first time in the Six Nations in 2011.
A former mixed martial arts fighter, Mouneimne coached extensively in South Africa with the South Africa Sevens team, Western Province, Sharks, Stomers, Southern Kings and Pumas plus Edinburgh and Stade Francais in Europe. He helped Stade win the European Challenge Cup in 2017, the Pumas to the Vodacom Cup in 2015 and also reached the Super Rugby final and play-offs during his time with Sharks and Stormers.
“It makes me really happy that I have signed a contract extension with Warriors. The club, the fans and all the people involved with Warriors mean a lot to me,” Mouneimne said.
“Everyone has put in so much hard work over the last two or three years and we are starting to show that we are a club that can be formidable.
“We have to strive to work harder to achieve the goals that we have spoken about. We are looking forward to putting in another big shift to achieve high honours for the club.
“I’d like to thank the club for giving me this opportunity and thank Solly and all their rest of the staff for their support.”
Pretorius joined Warriors two years ago from Super Rugby side Sharks and has helped turn Warriors into one of the fittest squads in the Gallagher Premiership.
“I am chuffed to bits that Johan has decided to extend his stay here at Sixways,” Solomons said.
“He has done a terrific job as our Head of Performance and is an absolutely top class Strength & Conditioning Trainer, who has made a world of difference to the conditioning of our players.
“He is a fantastic bloke, a great team man and a pleasure to work with. Johan and I have been together for many years and I really look forward to continuing working with him.”
Having worked at South Africa’s Sports Science Institute in Cape Town, Pretorius first worked with Solomons at the Southern Kings and again linked up with him at Edinburgh.