O’Sullivan lined up to take the reins at Biarritz

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN is reportedly being lined up to become the next coach of struggling French Top 14 club Biarritz Olympique.

The former Ireland head boss flew into the French coastal city yesterday for talks with powerbrokers at the famous club, owned by millionaire businessman Marcel Martin.

O’Sullivan has expressed his desire in recent months to return to top-flight coaching, having stepped down from his role with Ireland following last season’s Six Nations.

The Corkman has also been linked with the vacant director of rugby post at Ospreys.

Pressure has mounted on current Biarritz boss Jacques Delmas and his assistant, Jack Isaac, following a poor start to the Top 14 season — a competition Biarritz won in 2002, 2005 and 2006, while they were runners-up to Munster in the 2006 Heineken Cup final.

Delmas and Isaac assumed the reins from the very successful Patrice Lagisquet in the summer but the former powerhouse of the European game have struggled for consistency.

Last weekend Biarritz suffered a humiliating 32-6 defeat away to Clermont Auvergne – their third loss in six matches.

Biarritz have one of the biggest budgets in French rugby and were expected to challenge for Heineken Cup honours as well this season.

Despite rumblings behind the scenes, senior players Jerome Thion and Imanol Harinordoquy, continued to back their under-fire coaching team, with Thion commenting: “We continue to have confidence in the coaching staff.”