Ireland’s defence looked in good shape during the World Cup, right up until the knock-out stages.
It was a shame that Les Kiss’ final game as Ireland defence coach had to be the 43-20 pounding at the hands of Argentina.
Ireland shipped four tries that day and were second best in just about every collision that counted.
Kiss, who helped Ireland to three Six Nations titles during his seven-year stint, is now Director of Rugby at Ulster. That leaves Ireland with a Defence Coach position to fill.
As highlighted by 98FM, reports this morning have linked Ronan O’Gara to the job.
The former Munster and Ireland outhalf is now in his third year as a coach with Racing 92. He began, in 2013, as a skills and kicking coach but took up the defensive brief after spotting that head coaches Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers were moonlighting there.
Any interest from the IRFU would surely be welcomed by O’Gara. Only last week, he admitted that he was considering his future, and that of his family, in Paris following the terrorist attacks of November 13.
Wales Online have already linked Shaun Edwards to the job while Clark Laidlaw (Hurricanes) and Alistair Rogers (Auckland Blues) are other decent options Bernard Jackman has experience in this department but he would have to give up a head coaching job at Grenoble to join the Irish set-up.
Joe Schmidt is a keen student of Super Rugby and the Top 14 so could yet spring a surprise with his appointment.
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