Ireland poised to pick up Kidney

Munster coach Declan Kidney looks set to be appointed as the new Ireland boss on Tuesday, according to BBC reports.

Munster coach Declan Kidney looks set to be appointed as the new Ireland boss on Tuesday, according to BBC reports.

Just a day after leading his side to a fourth Heineken Cup final, it seems that Kidney has brushed off the short-listed names to replace Eddie O'Sullivan, who stepped down after seven years in the job following disappointing Six Nations and World Cup campaigns.

However, it is expected that Niall O'Donovan will head a temporary coaching team for the Barbarians game on Tuesday, May 27, while Kidney prepares for the European clash with Toulouse on May 24.

Kidney's promotion to the Ireland job will be widely acknowledged as a positive move.

Yet some critics will recall his swift three-month tenure with Welsh region the Dragons and his subsequent move from Leinster back to his current province.

However, his more than impressive record with Munster against Europe's elite has singled him out as probably the best coach in the northern hemisphere.

The need for Ireland to install a coach quickly is vitally important as the International Rugby Board (IRB) world rankings will be used for the first time to seed teams at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

With the draw for pool places to take place in December, Ireland have the mid-year Tests – against New Zealand and Australia – along with end-of-year internationals against Canada, the All Blacks and Argentina – to improve their current lowly ranking of eighth.