McKenzie in the running for Ireland job; Brent Pope has doubts

Saracens coach Mark McCall and Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea have both been ruled out of the running to become the next Irish head coach.

Both men have stated that they were fully committed to their respective clubs for the duration of their contracts.

It now seems that the new favourite to take Ireland forward is Ewen McKenzie.

McKenzie's recent decision to leave Queensland and pursue a Test job, has sparked fresh speculation, strongly linking the Australian to the top job.

Ewen, who coached with now interim coach Les Kiss at the Waratahs, said there had been no contact made from Ireland, but he also gave strong indications his phone is on and fully charged.

Speaking to Breakingnews.ie this evening, rugby analyst Brent Pope said: "He’s doing what most coaches want to do in some stage of their career, including I’m sure, Conor O’Shea and Joe Schmidt looking down the line at a World Cup, take a team and get a contract and bring a side to the World Cup.

"Looking at the positives, he was part of a coaching staff with innovators of the game, mainly Rob McQueen and Eddie Jones in Australia.

"The only problem is, if your criteria is an internationally experienced coach, while he was part of three, he wasn’t the head coach.

"His CV is no better than Declan Kidney’s, and looking at what Kidney achieved, it’s not as good."

This morning, Leinster coach Joe Schmidt was favourite to take the position, after Declan Kidney got the axe yesterday, this is despite Schmidt telling the media on Monday that coaching Leinster was his priority.

At a press briefing today in Dublin, Leinster’s Leo Cullen, Who became the hundredth captain under Kidney, said: "I’m sad to see Declan go, he has an amazing record and I hope to see him in a job soon enough.

"There are some good Irish coaches about and a few more around the world, The IRFU should take some time to pick the right man.

"I’m sure Joe (Schmidt) will be one of the sought after coaches, he has had a great record in his time here and he would be a hard man to replace if he did go."