Mitchell, Force part ways

Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell will leave the Western Force immediately in order to join Super 15 rivals the Lions in time for the 2011 season.

The 46-year-old has been in charge since the Force joined the expanded competition at the end of 2005 but having already announced he didn't plan to seek an extension at the end of next season he has now brought his departure forward.

Mitchell, who was unable to get the Force into the semi-finals in the five years he was in charge, has been coaching the Lions in the Currie Cup since the end of the Super 14 season back in May.

His position became virtually untenable following a player protest against him in 2008 but Mitchell remained in charge until this latest decision.

Wallabies assistant coach Richard Graham will take the reins a year earlier than had been intended having originally been appointed to the role for 2012 following Mitchell's announcement earlier this year that he would not chase a new deal.