Now the decision has been made not to award Declan Kidney a contract extension up to the 2015 World Cup, the question on everyone’s lips now is who will replace him and what process will be applied in making the new appointment?

THERE is a famous picture hanging in the headquarters of the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

Manchester United’s chief executive David Gill has been appointed as a vice-chairman of the Football Association.

Eric Elwood’s all-consuming passion for Connacht and rugby became a huge factor in his decision to step down as head coach at the end of the season.

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has confirmed his decision not to seek a renewal of his contract, which expires at the end of the season, was entirely his own and not influenced by external pressure.

ENGLAND will name a permanent head coach in time for next year’s summer tour to South Africa, with an interim appointment overseeing the RBS 6 Nations.

The Rugby Football Union have launched an investigation into the leaking of three confidential and damning reports into England’s World Cup campaign.

The Rugby Football Union have launched an investigation into all allegations of player misconduct during England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign.

MUNSTER’S season ticket sales have plummeted by 15% at a time when the other three provinces are reporting an increase in sales.

WITH all eyes on World Cup auditions, it was too easy to overlook Connacht’s part last night — as it has been this past 15 years — but the province gave notice of a determination to change that at the Aviva Stadium yesterday afternoon.

CONNACHT’S season ticket sales have rocketed by almost 700% even though there is still a month to go before the start of the new season.

THE FUTURE of Connacht as an important cog in the Irish provincial rugby wheel has been guaranteed and coach Eric Elwood, his players and management colleagues will be operating off at least a two-year contract from now on.

The Irish Rugby Football Union and Connacht Rugby today jointly announced a new structure for the professional game in Connacht with the specific aim of elevating the levels of performance for the province both on and off the pitch.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL is in a race against time to be fit for Leinster’s Heineken Cup clash against Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, December 18.

AS if dealing with extremely difficult quarter-final opposition in Northampton Saints and Clermont Auvergne wasn’t enough to keep them busy, Munster and Leinster must face up to the reality that they have also been drawn away from home, should they qualify for the semi-finals of this season’s Heineken Cup.

DETAILS of the British and Irish Lions’ 10-match South Africa tour next year have been confirmed. The Lions will face three Tests against the Springboks, with Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg announced as respective venues — but a potential fixture clash is already looming.

England’s World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is set for his first official role since retiring after being elected to the newly-formed Professional Game Board (PGB).

ROB ANDREW has hailed “an English solution for the English game” after the Twickenham unveiling of a new detailed agreement governing professional rugby in England.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe has taken his share of the blame for the club’s relegation from the Barclays Premiership.