Kiss to take Ulster role after World Cup

Les Kiss will leave the Ireland set-up after Rugby World Cup 2015 to become Ulster’s full-time director of rugby.

Ulster and the IRFU announced Neil Doak as the province’s new head coach yesterday, while also revealing that Kiss will depart boss Joe Schmidt’s national coaching team after the 2015 tournament.

Former Australia rugby league star Kiss has held Ulster’s interim rugby director role this term following David Humphreys’ late-summer departure for Gloucester.

The 49-year-old will leave Ulster to focus on Ireland duties on October 13, before returning in November 2015, while Doakwill remain on hand as headcoach.

Former dual-sport rugby and cricket international Doak has now been confirmed as Ulster’s permanent replacement for Mark Anscombe, who was released in the summer.

Ireland head coach Schmidt tipped Kiss to make a big future at Ulster, while keeping focus on next months’ three-Test Guinness Series.

“Les’s tremendous value and his integrity, coaching ability and positivity will add definite value to Ulster in the long term,” said Schmidt.

“But, like the rest of the National coaching team, we are both very much focused on the upcoming Guinness Series.

“Beyond that there are plenty of challenges leading up to Six Nations and Rugby World Cup 2015.”

Doak’s confirmation as head coach had been expected, with the 42-year-old himself admitting Kiss’s interim post had helped ease the summer transition in stepping up from his assistant role under Anscombe.

Revealing his excitement over his Ulster future, Kiss admitted he must hone in on Ireland’s upcoming clashes against South Africa, Georgia and Australia.

“I am very appreciative of the continued faith the IRFU and Ulster Rugby have demonstrated in me and, while I’m delighted to get the security in the long term, I am very much focused first and foremost on the next 12 months,” said Kiss.

* Paddy Jackson will miss Ulster’s big Guinness Pro12 top-of-the-table clash with unbeaten Glasgow at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.

Captain Rory Best is expected to be rested, with Roger Wilson again leading the side and Rob Herring standing in for the Ireland hooker.

Jackson sustained a head injury during Ulster’s bonus-point win over Edinburgh last week.

Ulster are not prepared to risk Jackson and Stuart Olding or Ian Humphreys will fill the number 10 jersey against the league leaders.

Ulster are still holding out a slim hope that their Springbok scrum-half Ruan Pienaar will be ready to face Toulon in their Champions Cup opener on Saturday October 18 after sustaining medial ligament damage in the game against the All Blacks three weeks ago.