Reddan keen on Howard for Ireland job

Eoin Reddan is thrilled by the idea of Pat Howard becoming the next Ireland coach.

Eoin Reddan is thrilled by the idea of Pat Howard becoming the next Ireland coach.

Former Leicester coach and Wallaby centre Howard has been installed as the bookies' favourite to succeed Eddie O'Sullivan, who resigned on Wednesday night.

Howard, who quit the Tigers after guiding them to a Premiership and EDF Energy Cup double last season, is currently employed as the manager of the Australian Rugby Football Union's high performance unit.

The 34-year-old is reportedly poised to step down from the post in order to spend more time with his family, dampening prospects of a move to Lansdowne Road.

But Reddan's interest remains piqued after a discussion with Ireland team-mate Geordan Murphy, who played under and alongside Howard at Welford Road.

“Pat Howard sounds like an excellent candidate. He almost took Leicester to the treble last year,” the Wasps scrum-half said.

“He nearly pulled it off but we beat Leicester in the Heineken Cup final. To be in that position anyway was a major achievement.

“He has a good track record and you only need look at what he's done at Leicester to see how talented he is.

“Geordan told me he's a good coach, a good guy and great man manager with lots of fantastic ideas.”

Reddan, Ireland's first choice scrum-half since the World Cup, has urged the Irish Rugby Football Union to act decisively while making sure they appoint the best man for the job.

“The important thing is to get on with it. It would be great to get someone who is successful and who can take us forward,” he said.

“That's what happened seven years ago with Eddie – he took us forward – and now we need the same again.

“These are exciting times for Ireland. There's a chance for the IRFU to go out and get the best in the world, which they should do and will do.

“We need a man who will really inspire and excite the players that we have and push Ireland to new levels.

“We definitely have the players to achieve great things.”

Ireland need look only to Grand Slam champions Wales for evidence of the galvanising effect a new coaching team can have on a side in the doldrums.

The Welsh endured a dismal World Cup last autumn yet six months later completed a Six Nations clean sweep with virtually the same players.

New head coach Warren Gatland and his assistant Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley have been credited with their astonishing revival and Reddan hopes fresh faces make a similar impact with Ireland.

“All the time in soccer you can see what a change of coach can achieve and Wales are proof of that – just look how much they've improved under Gatland,” he said.

“They were really struggling, did poorly at the World Cup and then made the change and are enjoying the honeymoon period.

“The double boost for Wales was that they brought in new faces who are also brilliant coaches, and that inspired them during this Six Nations.

“If we could do something similar then it would be great.

“Firstly we need the change that would freshen things up, secondly is we need someone who will take Ireland forward long-term.”

Ireland won 50 of their 78 matches under O'Sullivan – a record which makes him the nation's most successful coach – and Reddan admires the impact he made since his appointment in 2001.

But he also admits the 49-year-old's stewardship had run its natural course.

“Eddie has resigned and you need to respect his decision,” he said.

“He's a good, proud man and has brought Irish rugby a long way. He took us to the next level and you have to credit him for that.

“He will be remembered for the Triple Crowns but will also be remembered for what happened at the World Cup.

“That is tough because we were in such a tough group and the whole squad should share responsibility for that.

“Eddie has been criticised for staying too long in the job but he gave people what they wanted.

“He's handled himself very well. He dealt with the pressure very well and kept it away from the players.

“But his resignation shows it was time for a change, so now its onwards and upwards.”