New Irish Coach?

Rumours had been circulating during the 6 Nations that Kiss was interested in head coach position. It could be good for Connacht to have him there, if only for Summer internationals, as he's expressed a lot of interest in our indigenous players!

Kidney, came in on the back of EOS things could only go up, had a GS pretty much straight off the bat. Hasn't done much as a head coach since. Never fed through the younger players and when the injury crisis hit this year he had no "go to" because he had to recruit from scratch. We had a diabolical season, in part thanks to Kidney and the fact that he refused to move from the GS Dream Team.

Truth is, the dream team is getting ready to retire. I'd be fairly sure that the majority of that GS team won't make the next World Cup and we have to start from scratch. I pity the coach who has to come in after that season.

But in saying that, having watched the provinces this season, we shouldn't be stuck in a rut with this new coach as long as his eyes are kept open! There is more than enough promising talent there, it just needs to be brought through before the "legends" retire and we're stuck worse than we were this season!

Whiff of Cordite had an interesting article on Kidney leaving and who might replace him. As he pointed out if Deans wins the Lions series McKenzie will probably come to us but if Deans loses he'll be fired and we could swoop in and grab him as McKenzie will probably be his replacement. Dean's is a manager I rate highly and would love to see come north.

I wish Kidney the best going forward. He did well taking over for EOS going that one step further for the GS. Unfortunately the "golden generation" of Irish rugby reached its end during his tenure and perhaps he rode them longer than was acceptable, but I'm not sure he can be held solely responsible for not finding their adequate replacements. I do agree it's time for a change, I don't expect Kidney to have a difficult time finding new employment like EOS.

As for Kiss taking charge of the NA tour I see no problem. He probably is an outside candidate for the job and it will essentially be an A tour with some going with the Lions and others being given a rest. I can see only a sprinkling of front liners going to insure that Ireland do not suffer greater embarrassment by losing to either Canada or the USA. If POC is left out of the Lions I could maybe see him going since he's played so little rugby this season.

I'd rather see the IRFU takes its time to get this hiring right than rush someone in just to take charge of the NA tour.

EOS is allegedly in talks to join a AIL team next year in some capacity. To be frank it's something he should have done last year and a AIL team would make a better stepping stone than Connacht.

It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. EOS makes himself more employable. Irish rugby brings a guy with strong technical knowledge back into the fold, some young players will get the benefit of his coaching and a AIL team will get an experienced coach with International experience. Can see Kidney doing the same with UCC in the near future as well.

LoL! I dont think you will see deccie in AIL even with Con. If irfu or munster dont have a role for him he will take the durector of sport offer from UCC. Its sad really whats happening to EOS but its of his own making by all accounts. Hes supposed to be a very good backs coach if he cud get along with other coaches.

LoL! I dont think you will see deccie in AIL even with Con. If irfu or munster dont have a role for him he will take the durector of sport offer from UCC. Its sad really whats happening to EOS but its of his own making by all accounts. Hes supposed to be a very good backs coach if he cud get along with other coaches.

I think it was discussed at the time of Connacht's interviews but Eddie has almost zero professional club/provincial experience and what little he has is from so long ago that it doesn't matter. He got the international job being the right man in the right place and did pretty good all things considered, but when he was sacked he should have tried to build himself up again even if it is a bit shit going from international rugby to ail/champion/div2 or italian super10, but if he had done that and proved his credentials he would have been in a real position to look for big jobs now. He has no business looking for jobs with clubs who expect to be in the heineken cup when he has no idea what that sort of full season set up is like. /ramble.

Maybe as a hobby but as director of sport he would be depriving someone else a job.

I think it was discussed at the time of Connacht's interviews but Eddie has almost zero professional club/provincial experience and what little he has is from so long ago that it doesn't matter. He got the international job being the right man in the right place and did pretty good all things considered, but when he was sacked he should have tried to build himself up again even if it is a bit shit going from international rugby to ail/champion/div2 or Italian super10, but if he had done that and proved his credentials he would have been in a real position to look for big jobs now. He has no business looking for jobs with clubs who expect to be in the heineken cup when he has no idea what that sort of full season set up is like.

Michael Corcoran ‏@MichaelC_RTE

Joe Schmidt to be confirmed as @irfurugby Head Coach at 4pm today #rterugby #Leinsterrugby

Delighted to announce that Joe Schmidt is the new Ireland Head Coach. Tune in to a live press conference at 4pm on www.IrishRugby.ie

Three years apparently. Will include the 2015 World Cup and end at the 2016 6N.

His message to BOD must be either you declare 2 more years for WC (hopefully) or you retire from International rugby (maybe stay with Leinster), none of this one more year stuff.

Delighted with this!

Glad it's sorted. Schmidt wouldn't have signed without concessions from the IRFU on stuff as he could walk into practically any other job. Wish him all the best.

The only real option for the job. He's coming in at a difficult time with the team in a bit of transition but after this year's 6 nations the only way is up. Glad this is sorted and we can blood some new talent on the summer tours rather than waste the tours like we did in 2005 and 2009.