Another 3 candidates for Ireland head coach

Mike Ruddock

Here is a slightly different option to the other possible replacements I mentioned in my last blog post. Whilst the likes of Conor O’Shea and Joe Schmidt are coaching clubs in Ireland, Mike Ruddock is actually part of the IRFU and is currently the head coach for the Under-20 team. This makes it an interesting choice as no doubt Ruddock will be more familiar with the Ireland system than any of the other possible candidates.  Since his appointment in 2010 Ruddock will have seen and coached the new players that are starting to break into the Ireland team such as Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo.

Additionally it would seem to be a perfect fit for Ireland who are currently going through a transitional period as they look to blood in more and more youngsters. Ruddock’s knowledge of Ireland’s upcoming talent is a factor that definitely puts him in contention for the job. He will know who is ready to step up into the senior team and how Ireland can develop over the coming years to become a formidable side once again.

Last year, he led Ireland to their best finish in the Junior World Cup. They managed to beat England and France on their way to a fifth placed finish. Ruddock also had success before his appointment into the Ireland set-up, coaching Wales to their first Grand Slam in 28 years in 2006.

Ruddock seems to have all the ingredients to be a good manager for Ireland, but with other impressive CV’s out there the bookies have him as slight chance at 12/1.

Graham Henry

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One of those impressive CV’s belong to former New Zealand head coach Graham Henry. Currently working in a consultancy role with the Argentinian rugby federation, Henry has had a highly successful career that the IRFU  cannot overlook. During his time as head coach of New Zealand, he won the World Cup and retired with an outstanding 84% win percentage. Henry has also got experience in the Northern Hemisphere as he was head coach of Wales for four years. He was also handed the role of head coach for the Lions in 2001.

Despite his highly decorated CV, the main problem in getting Henry to coach Ireland would be whether or not he wants to commit himself to another international role. Aged 66, it might be fair to say he wouldn’t want to guide Ireland through a tough transitional period which could take several years.

The bookmakers seem to think one more stint in International rugby may be a bridge too far for Henry and have him at big odds, 66/1.

 

Nick Mallet

Mallet has been out of an international head coach job since his departure from Italy in 2011, and could be a possible replacement for Declan Kidney. During his time at the helm of Italian rugby he improved them a good deal, and in particular made them a hard side to beat. Earlier on his career as manager of South Africa, between August 1997 and December 1998 he led them to 17 consecutive test wins. During which the Springboks won the Tri-Nations in 1998, and then got to the semi-finals of the world cup only for their winning run to be ended by England at Twickenham on December 5th 1998.

Incidentally Mallet was touted to replace England coach Martin Johnson but as we all know, it was Stuart Lancaster who was appointed instead. Mallet has been linked to a number of vacancies since he left Italy but hasn’t moved anywhere, so would the challenge of guiding Ireland back to what they were a few years ago seem like an attractive proposition? Paddy Power aren’t so sure and have him as an outside shout at 30/1.