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03/04/2013
Kidney's Ireland Contract To End
Declan Kidney will not be offered an extension to his contract as Ireland's rugby coach, it has been announced.
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said Mr Kidney would not be offered a new contract after his current agreement ends on 30 June.
The decision was made following an in-depth review process carried out by the IRFU's National Team Review Group (NTRG).
In 2009, 53-year-old Kidney led Ireland to their first Six Nations Grand Slam in over sixty years, but since then Ireland's successes have declined.
The 2013 Six Nations championship saw Ireland win only one game and finish fifth. They are now ranked ninth in the world, behind Samoa and Argentina and just one place above Scotland.
The IRFU said in a statement it thanked Kidney for the "unquestionable commitment, passion, professionalism and success he has delivered to Irish rugby to date."
It said it would continue to select "suitable candidates" for the Ireland coaching role.
The tour of North America this June, when Ireland will play against the USA (Houston, June 8) and Canada (Toronto, June 15), will now be led by interim head coach Les Kiss, assisted by Gert Smal and Anthony Foley.
Philip Browne, IRFU CEO, said: "We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby. His contribution and involvement across the spectrum of Irish rugby delivered under-age, provincial, Grand Slam and Triple Crown success, and epitomises his passion, belief and commitment to the game.
"With a host of new and emerging talent at every level, and despite the clear challenges ahead, we are confident of securing another world class coach to work with this talented and ambitious group of players."
(IT/CD)
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said Mr Kidney would not be offered a new contract after his current agreement ends on 30 June.
The decision was made following an in-depth review process carried out by the IRFU's National Team Review Group (NTRG).
In 2009, 53-year-old Kidney led Ireland to their first Six Nations Grand Slam in over sixty years, but since then Ireland's successes have declined.
The 2013 Six Nations championship saw Ireland win only one game and finish fifth. They are now ranked ninth in the world, behind Samoa and Argentina and just one place above Scotland.
The IRFU said in a statement it thanked Kidney for the "unquestionable commitment, passion, professionalism and success he has delivered to Irish rugby to date."
It said it would continue to select "suitable candidates" for the Ireland coaching role.
The tour of North America this June, when Ireland will play against the USA (Houston, June 8) and Canada (Toronto, June 15), will now be led by interim head coach Les Kiss, assisted by Gert Smal and Anthony Foley.
Philip Browne, IRFU CEO, said: "We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby. His contribution and involvement across the spectrum of Irish rugby delivered under-age, provincial, Grand Slam and Triple Crown success, and epitomises his passion, belief and commitment to the game.
"With a host of new and emerging talent at every level, and despite the clear challenges ahead, we are confident of securing another world class coach to work with this talented and ambitious group of players."
(IT/CD)
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