Hurricanes assistant coach Clark Laidlaw has today confirmed he will join London Irish at the end of the 2015 Investec Super Rugby season.

Laidlaw will head into the role of assistant coach to Tom Coventry, with a key responsibility of overseeing the backs.

The Scotsman came to the Hurricanes in 2013, following four years at the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, and has been instrumental in his roles as skills, defence and assistant coaches within the Hurricanes club.

Drawing from his 25-cap career with Scotland's national sevens team, which included a Commonwealth Games appearance in 2006, Laidlaw has also played a strong leadership role in Wellington Rugby's sevens programme, helping the men's team to a national title in 2014.

Laidlaw said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time in New Zealand, which ended up being much longer than he'd originally anticipated.

"Working within New Zealand rugby has been an incredible opportunity for me, and along with my wife and kids, we've loved every minute of it.

"Although I'm excited about heading to London Irish, and the future that awaits me there, I'm still very focused on the job I've got to do here. We've got off to a great start this season, and I'm hugely motivated to be part of a successful year with the Hurricanes."

Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni said Laidlaw had done a strong job with the club and had a great coaching knowledge and skillset.

"We're sorry to see him leaving at the end of the year. I know his primary goal is to be part of a successful 'Canes season, after which he and his family will return to the Northern Hemisphere with our blessing for the future. "