Kidney and Kiss join forces again at Irish
Former Ireland coaches charged with reviving struggling Premiership club in major overhaul
Declan Kidney, who led Ireland to their Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009, is to make a surprise return to top-flight coaching as part of major overhaul at Premiership strugglers London Irish. Kidney will be joined by former Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss in a new-look coaching team. They are expected to be unveiled next week as the club attempt to resurrect their fortunes with a significant statement of intent.
It is not yet clear how the appointments affect the position of Nick Kennedy, the club’s director of rugby, who remains contracted to the club. It is understood, however, that as part of the overhaul, Brendan Venter, the former London Irish player-coach and Saracens director of rugby who was hired in 2016 as technical director, will leave the club.
Kidney and Kiss, who left his position with Ulster in January after three years, are expected to be introduced to the London Irish players next week.
Although the club’s fate is all but sealed for this season, with relegation to the Championship expected after just two wins in the Premiership campaign, the recruitment of two coaches with such distinguished pedigrees suggests the London Irish board are determined to ensure a swift return to the top flight.
Kidney, who coached Ireland between 2008 and 2013, brought Kiss into his national set-up as a defence coach in 2009 and the Australian was credited with introducing the “choke tackle” that was a key feature of the side’s Grand Slam.
Kidney, who was named World Coach of the Year in 2009, was first linked with a move to London Irish in 2014, and has been working as director of sport at University College, Cork since 2013.
He also enjoyed major success as a club coach, leading Munster to Heineken Cup finals in 2000 and 2002 and the title in 2006 and 2008.
The fact that he has not been involved in front-line professional coaching since 2013 may raise some eyebrows, but Irish believe the 58-year-old has the credentials and coaching nous alongside Kiss to rebuild a squad capable of becoming competitive in the Premiership.
Kidney’s appointment will also enhance the club’s Irish identity at a time when they are considering investment options and a move back to London from the Madejski Stadium in Reading in the near future.