Reports of Declan Kidney coaching comeback at London Irish quashed

File this under 'Fun while it lasted'

Declan Kidney's hiatus from top level rugby is set to continue a while longer, following a day of goings and, likely, comings at London Irish. The former Munster and Ireland coach was linked with a return to the managerial hot-seat following this morning's departure of Brian Smith from The Exiles. The Australian, who appeared for Ireland in the 1991 Five Nations, is heading home 'on compassionate grounds' to deal with personal matters. Smith's contract release came with immediate effect and, with the club lying in a relegation play-off spot, Exiles need to act quickly if they want to maintain their top flight status. The club currently have five Irishmen, including Tomás O'Leary and Eoin Griffin, on its books. Kidney has been out of professional rugby since he parted ways with Ireland, in April 2013. He claimed two Heineken Cups with Munster and led Ireland to a Grand Slam in 2009. He currently holds a Director of Sport role with University College Cork. Several media outlets reported Kidney as an early favourite but there is a new front-runner. Waikato Chiefs assistant coach, Tom Coventry, is the man tipped by The Rugby Paper as club's ideal candidate to replace Smith. A club statement reads: 'Glenn Delaney, the club’s forwards coach, will take on the role of interim head coach between now and the end of the season.  He will be assisted by Richard Whiffin and Mark Tainton and the club’s academy coaching team of Nick Kennedy, Declan Danaher and Paul Hodgson. London Irish will confirm a new head coach for the 2015/16 season in due course.'