Greg Feek has taken a rather different route than the rest of Ireland’s touring party to reach Australia, yet two months in to a new career in Japan, the scrum coach could not be happier with his lot.

Shaun Edwards says he would listen to a head coach’s offer “in rugby league or rugby union” if one came his way.

All Blacks legend Richie McCaw is excited about Ronan O’Gara’s impending move to the Crusaders, after it was announced yesterday that the Corkman will take on the role of assistant coach with the Super Rugby franchise in January.

Stuart Lancaster refused to engage in a public spat with Rob Andrew, after his former RFU colleague heaped blame on Lancaster for England’s disastrous 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The gaffer around here started asking me a question Wednesday, and I cut him off mid-sentence. This is the rest of the answer. Yes. It does, it wrecks my head I never got to work under, to work with, Joe Schmidt. That I didn’t get 10 years at the top of my game under him, writes Ronan O’Gara

Few people understand what it takes to be a successful All Blacks coach more than Richie McCaw and the two-time World Cup-winning captain happens to believe that Joe Schmidt has exactly what it takes to do the job.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has dismissed reports claiming he might consider an approach to become Stuart Lancaster’s potential England successor.

Jake White has warned England he will not be submitted to the “rigmarole” of an arduous application process for the vacant head coach role.

Strategically speaking, Ireland were as impressive as any nation in the first round of games, writes Ronan O’Gara

On a recent trip to New Zealand former Cork player Conor McCarthy got up close with some of the country’s best rugby players and coaches. So how does the GAA compare...?

Amidst the mountain of names mentioned yesterday as possible replacements for Matt O’Connor’s Leinster job, it was that of Robbie Deans that emerged on top with the New Zealander’s tumbling odds squaring with earlier smoke signals from sources.

Warren Gatland revealed a glowing recommendation from one of world rugby’s outstanding coaches played its part in New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making an unlikely journey from Super Rugby to potential Wales Test star.

Warren Gatland has revealed that a glowing recommendation from one of world rugby’s outstanding coaches played its part in New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making an unlikely journey from Super Rugby to potential Wales Test star.

GUINNESS PRO12:

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?

Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes has dismissed reports in New Zealand linking Joe Schmidt with the soon-to-be-vacant Super Rugby head coach role at the Auckland Blues.

Munster may have Wayne Smith to thank if their new head coach Rob Penney turns out to be a success with the two-time Heineken Cup winners.

Mike Catt will join England’s coaching staff for next month’s tour of South Africa, the Rugby Football Union have confirmed.

Munster may turn to All Black legend Tana Umaga to provide the missing link in a new coaching management team with former skipper Anthony Foley.

Anthony Foley will be announced as Munster’s new director of rugby/head coach in the next week or so, Evening Echo writer Conor George has reported today.

These are testing times for Munster.

Eddie O’Sullivan believes the position of Munster coach is one of the marquee roles in world rugby.

It quickly became apparent something was stirring on the Lions front on Monday afternoon when RTÉ and the BBC contacted me to discuss speculation that Warren Gatland had been offered the job of coaching the touring party on their return to Australia in 2013.

World Cup winning-coach Wayne Smith said Munster is just one of a long list of teams his name seemed to be linked with, but admitted he would be tempted by another overseas job.

Whether he intended to or not, Anthony Foley publicly kick-started the great Munster coaching succession race yesterday as the province confirmed the departure of present incumbent Tony McGahan at the end of this season.

Munster have yet to confirm Tony McGahan's departure at the end of the season.

Munster coach Tony McGahan will leave the province at the end of the season.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has joined former New Zealand assistant Wayne Smith in ruling himself out of contention to be the next permanent England head coach.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has joined former New Zealand assistant Wayne Smith in ruling himself out of contention to be the next permanent England head coach.

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.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS insist there has been no formal contact from England to Jim Mallinder about taking over Martin Johnson’s role — but the Saints insist they will battle to keep hold of their director of rugby.

DEPARTING All Blacks coach Graham Henry has argued for continuity in New Zealand rugby, nominating his assistant Steve Hansen as the next man for the job.

World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has officially stepped down from his role in charge of the All Blacks but looks set to move into a background position with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Israel Dagg has revealed New Zealand’s sense of “great relief” at ending a 24-year wait to be crowned world champions.

NEW ZEALAND captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

Dan Carter believes New Zealand must “expect the unexpected” when they face France in Sunday’s World Cup final.

INCENDIARY tweets, guerrilla gum shields and mean-spirited old farts – kind of makes you yearn for the innocent pleasures of dwarf throwing and bungee jumping doesn’t it?

NEW ZEALAND assistant coach Wayne Smith insists the belief in the All Blacks camp and in fly-half Colin Slade is high following Dan Carter’s World Cup-ending injury.

IMANOL HARINORDOQUY has mocked claims that France have deliberately selected a weakened team for Saturday’s big World Cup group clash with New Zealand.