Kidney sacked as Ireland coach

Declan Kidney has been removed as Ireland coach after a five-year reign. Kidney, 53, led Ireland to the 2009 Grand Slam but this year they could only finish fifth in the Six Nations. Continue reading the main story “We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby” Philip Browne IRFU chief The Irish Rugby Football Union revealed it would not offer him a new deal when his contract expired at the end of June and that he was leaving immediately. An IRFU stateme thanked him for the "unquestionable commitment, passion, professionalism and success he has delivered to Irish rugby". Since the 2009 Grand Slam triumph Ireland have won only 16 out of 40 Tests, their performance in this year's Six Nations was their worst in the Championship since they ended up with the Wooden Spoon in 1998 and they have slipped to their lowest ever world ranking of ninth. "We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby," said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne. "With a host of new and emerging talent at every level, and despite the clear challenges ahead, we are confident of securing another world-class coach to work with this talented and ambitious group of Ireland players."