Wallace urges creation of 'supremo' post

The former Lions and Ireland prop Paul Wallace would advocate the creation of a new post in the management of the national team in the wake of the IRFU-commissioned Genesis report.

The union's decision to make public a selection of the report's recommendations won't assuage the disappointment felt by many rugby supporters after the World Cup, but Wallace feels it is important to look forward rather than dwell on the past.

"I would like to see a director of rugby appointed whose remit centres on dealing with the national coach, players and management team in much the same manner as Rob Andrew does with England and Pat Howard in Australia. They have the onfield experience as players and recent coaching pedigree to understand the modern game.

"If the IRFU was to follow suit then the person should oversee the management of the national team and also liaise with the provincial set-ups. The person appointed would take full responsibility and in my view, Conor O'Shea would be an ideal candidate.

"He was the experience in terms of previous roles with London Irish and the English RFU. The creation of such a role would take some pressure off the national coach and allow the latter to focus on the preparation of the team while also providing a contact point with player issues.

"If things aren't going well or problems arise with the national side then the director of rugby is responsible for dealing with them. It's the way a big company would work and rugby is now a professional entity.

"The director of rugby would have freedom to execute his role and take responsibility for the professional rugby environment in Ireland.

"The report, or the aspects that have been made public, represent a common-sense reaction to the issues that arose, but it is important that there is a realistic appraisal of what needs to be done.

"Instead of handing some power back, it is important the IRFU don't take more by installing a manager who is basically a throwback to a former era.

"It's important the viewpoint of the players is respected and that seems to be happening in regard to one or two of the resolutions.

"I also believe the top Irish players must play in the Magners League on a regular basis in order to transform the tournament into a top-notch competition.

"There is an opportunity to put in place structures that will benefit the long-term progression of the national side, irrespective of who is coaching or playing."

Victor Costello

"I don't think that recommendations should be implemented in the short term, certainly on the basis of installing people to those positions just for the sake of doing something.

"It's about getting the right person and that's the only thing that matters; not rushing appointments.

"The focus now should be on recognising the mistakes made before and during the World Cup, on and off the pitch and learning from them. It is not alone the coach but the players that have to take responsibility.

"Ireland have three home games at Croke Park during the upcoming Six Nations, eminently winnable and a perfect opportunity to restore pride. The two away games are difficult but there is a need for everyone to stand up and be counted. There's no point in changing horses mid-season. It's about learning from those mistakes.

"Eddie O'Sullivan should be given the Six Nations Championship to sort out the problems and then review the findings of the report and, as important, the performances during that competition."

Ciaran Fitzgerald

"I agree with all the recommendations that were made public but they should have been in place long before what was a disastrous World Cup. A coach needs people on a management team who could offer an objective counterbalance and I think that's very important in terms of future developments.

"Eddie O'Sullivan is no different in that respect and would have benefited from the input of a respected figure in terms of the manager's role.

"I advocated the requirement in the past for a backs adviser and it would seem the players feel that it's an important issue now.

"There is a slightly cosmetic aspect to the proposed changes. The whole management structure needs to be altered appreciably. With any sort of long-term arrangement, the message can become stale and there is always a need to freshen things up.

"I would be in favour of putting in a director of rugby who would oversee the running of the national side and also liaise with the national and provincial coaches and the players."