Ruddock rules out Ireland job

Former Wales coach Mike Ruddock appears to be the latest candidate to rule himself out of the Ireland job after Eddie O'Sullivan stepped down earlier this week.

Ruddock still has another two years left on his contract with struggling Guinness Premiership side Worcester Warrioirs and claims he is not interested in the Ireland position at this stage.

"I have another two years on my Worcester contract and I would like to see that job through," said Ruddock on the BBC, who also coached Leinster from 1997-2000. "I am thoroughly enjoying myself in the Guinness Premiership."

The Irish Times also learned that highly rated coach Pat Howard has also ruled himself out of the running.

The well respected former Wallabies centre and Leicester coach is due to leave his role as high-performance manager with the Australian Rugby Union at the end of March, but is reluctant to uproot his young family back to the Northern Hemisphere.

It was suggested Howard was sounded out informally by the IRFU as long ago as last week, but is set to take up a new job with Cromwells, a Brisbane-based property company from the start of April.

Jake White, the World Cup winning coach with South Africa, also ruled himself out, according to his agent this week. White has made no secret of the fact he would be interested in the England job should it become available.

Ruddock has a strong pedigree and led Wales to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005 before former Ireland coach Warren Gatland emulated the feat with Wales last week. After leaving Wales in 2006, Ruddock took up the post with Worcester.

Munster coach Declan Kidney and London Irish coach Brian Smith have also been linked with the Ireland job.

O'Sullivan stepped down on Wednesday after Ireland's worst Six Nations campaign left them fourth in the table. After almost seven years in the role the Corkman guided Ireland to three Triple Crowns, but his tenure was put in question after a dismal World Cup campaign in France, despite the IRFU giving the head coach a new four-year contract before the tournament.