O’Sullivan poised for international return with USA
Former Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan. Photo: AFP, Getty Images
FORMER Irish rugby boss, Eddie O'Sullivan, looks set to be named US Eagles coach this weekend. O'Sullivan, the most successful national coach in Irish rugby history, is expected to have his appointment ratified when the board of US Rugby meets later today at the World Sevens in San Diego.
O'Sullivan's agent, John Baker, has been in discussion with American CEO and former England scrum-half, Nigel Melville, in recent weeks. It seems that agreement was reached late yesterday and this evening's board meeting is expected to be a formality.
The Youghal man, who guided Ireland to three Triple Crowns in four years, resigned as Irish coach last March after a mixed Six Nations campaign had followed Ireland's poor showing at the 2007 World Cup.
He has extensive knowledge of the American scene, having worked in the late 90s both as Technical Director to US Rugby and Eagles coach.
Since leaving the Irish job, O'Sullivan has run a number of coaching clinics in America and is known to be deeply respected within the game there.
Meanwhile, despite opposition from some quarters, the GAA is today expected to agree to make Croke Park available for a Heineken Cup rugby semi-final in early May.
However, they are likely to insist that it be staged on a Friday or Saturday rather than Sunday.
The issue is on the agenda for Central Council which will meet in Thurles to mark the town’s place in the history of the Association as it celebrates its 125th anniversary.
Croke Park will only be required if Munster beat Ospreys in the quarterfinal.
If Leinster beat Harlequins in another quarter-final, they will play Munster in the semi-final. Croke Park is the obvious venue for a Leinster-Munster game which would probably attract a full house, thus earning the GAA €1.5m in rent money.
However, if Munster win and Harlequins beat Leinster, Croke Park would still be the favoured venue for the semifinal as Munster would be entitled to pick a venue of their choice other than their home ground, Thomond Park.
If Munster lose and Leinster win at the quarter-final stage, Croke Park would not be required as Leinster would have an ‘away’ venue for the semi-final. Some objections have been raised within the GAA to the proposal to play a Heineken Cup game in Croke Park on the basis that it’s not an international fixture. However, the rule change in 2005 clearly allows Central Council to make Croke Park available for any event of their choice.
May 1/2/3 have been nominated as dates for the Heineken Cup semi-finals, so it’s likely that the GAA will insist that a Croke Park fixture is not played on Sunday, May 3 so as to avoid a clash with the Allianz Hurling League final. Croke Park won’t be required for that game, but the GAA would want to avoid a TV clash with the big rugby game.
