Succession Stakes

The shortlist of favourites to take over as Ireland head coach:

PAT HOWARD

THE FORMER Wallaby centre could be leaving his post with the ARU next month amid reports of a falling out with chief executive John O'Neill. Given he has four children under five, it is questionable he could be lured back to the Northern Hemisphere - he had three hugely successful years as Leicester coach.

His father, Jake, forwards coach to the 1991 World Cup winners, coached Wanderers in the early 90s (Pat was famously dropped by the Wanderers thirds for refusing to pass the ball).

A bright, opinionated young man, particularly adept at analysing opponents, but inexperienced and would need a wise old head alongside.

Odds: 4/1

DECLAN KIDNEY

IN ANY other country would be considered a shoo-in, having won a Heineken European Cup, an Under-19 World Cup and an A Grand Slam. Much of what has been good in Irish rugby in the last decade has emanated from his teams but he was wrongly co-opted onto the O'Sullivan ticket in 2001 before being frozen out and then was deemed to have dirtied his bib with Leinster players and IRFU men when returning to his native province.

A proven head coach and inspiring man manager who would need technical expertise around him. Deserves a shot at it, but may not get it.

Odds(Paddy Power): 7/2 favourite

WAYNE SMITH

HARSHLY removed after coaching the All Blacks in 2000 and 2001, he subsequently coached Northampton, since when he's been working alongside Graham Henry with the All Blacks and is contracted by the NZRFU for another two years.

One wonders whether, firstly, the IRFU would be inclined to buy him out and, secondly, he would sacrifice the chance to be part of the All Blacks coaching ticket when New Zealand hosts the 2011 World Cup.

Odds: 9/2

MIKE RUDDOCK

HAS STRONG Irish connections - his son Ciaráwill be playing for the Ireland under-19s against Italy in Malahide next Saturday - after his time with Bective Rangers and Leinster, and was head coach when Wales won the Grand Slam in 2005.

His star has waned with Wales and Worcester subsequently but depending on the head coach appointment, could come onto the Ireland ticket as forwards coach or manager.

Odds: 5/1

JAKE WHITE

ALTHOUGH World Cup-winning coach with South Africa, the personable White has few obvious ties with Irish rugby and has openly canvassed for the England job, for which he remains favourite if rumours of Brian Ashton's imminent removal prove well-founded.

Odds: 8/1

JOHN MITCHELL

SIGNIFICANTLY, Mitchell has ties with Garryowen (and Pa Whelan) dating from his three years as a player at Dooradoyle in the early 1990s and was briefly part of the heavy-duty and punishing sessions when coaching the Ireland forwards under Murray Kidd in 1996.

Has since coached the England forwards and the All Blacks and has transformed Western Force into a thrilling Super 14 outfit.

Whether he could be lured from Perth is debatable, but he looks a real dark horse.

Odds: 20/1