New Irish head coach Kidney has one final fling with Munster

Published on Wednesday 7 May 2008 23:33

DECLAN Kidney has been confirmed as Ireland's new head coach through to the next World Cup – but he will not start until after this summer's tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Kidney, the Munster director of rugby, will replace Eddie O'Sullivan who resigned following Ireland's dismal World Cup and worst ever Six Nations campaign.

But with Munster chasing a second Heineken Cup triumph in three years, the Irish Rugby Football Union plan to appoint an interim management team for the summer tour.

Ireland A coach Michael Bradley is widely expected to lead the squad for the trip.

Unusually, Kidney will play no part in the squad selection or preparation for the tour, which begins with a fixture against the Barbarians in Gloucester on May 27.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: "While the need to make the appointment as soon as was practicable was important, the IRFU was conscious of keeping any disruption to the preparations of the Munster team to a minimum."

Kidney's appointment was an open secret, particularly after potential overseas targets – including the likes of Jake White and Pat Howard – all ruled themselves out of the running.

He boasts an impressive record at age-group and provincial level and has experience of working with the national team, having been O'Sullivan's assistant between 2002 and 2004.

Browne added: "Declan Kidney's record speaks for itself and it was obvious from the very beginning of this process that he was one of the main contenders to lead Ireland to the next Rugby World Cup in 2011."

Kidney was in charge of the Ireland Under-19 team that won the 1998 World Cup and included the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Donncha O'Callaghan and Paddy Wallace.

He has led Munster to four Heineken Cup finals and having lost in 2000 and 2002, he delivered the trophy in 2006 with victory over Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium.

Kidney returns to Cardiff with Munster on May 24 to face Toulouse before assuming the biggest job of his career.

"There is no greater honour for any coach than to lead his own country. I am delighted to have this opportunity and to be here at what is the pinnacle of my career," said Kidney.

"I have worked with many exceptional players during my career at both international and provincial level and there is no doubt that we have the talent in Ireland to be successful at the highest level.

"My focus now for the next three weeks will be totally on the Munster team and the preparation for the Heineken European Cup final."

When Kidney takes charge, his first task will be to prepare for an autumn series that includes Tests against the All Blacks and Argentina.