Reddan looks to Wales for inspiration
Former Leicester coach and Wallaby centre Howard has been installed as the bookies’ favourite to succeed Eddie O’Sullivan, who resigned on Wednesday. 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 Dublin. 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 won 50 of 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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Alan Gaffney confirmed yesterday his new two-year deal with Leinster would not preclude an involvement with the national set-up here. Gaffney revealed to the Watford Observer yesterday that part of his agreement with the province was to allow dialogue with the IRFU should they earmark him for the top job O’Sullivan held for six years.
“If they (Ireland) considered me for the job it would be an honour,” Gaffney said. “The agreement I have with Leinster is that should anything come up with the national team they would not stand in my way. I have a definite interest in the job, for certain. And that applies to any role within that set-up.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone from Ireland other than my friends over there. It’s flattering in one sense and if anyone did approach me it would be an honour. But I’m just sitting back and not getting too excited or carried away about it. I take each day as it comes.”
Worcester coach Mike Ruddock also said he would be flattered to be considered for the Irish job.
“That’s the life of the modern coach,” said former Wales and Leinster coach Ruddock, referring to O’Sullivan’s dismissal. “You are only as good I guess as the last game.”
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