Kidney appointed Ireland coach

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Kidney, the Munster head coach, replaces Eddie O'Sullivan, who resigned following Ireland's disappointing World Cup performance and worst ever Six Nations campaign.

But Kidney will not take charge until after Ireland's summer tour of New Zealand and Australia in order to concentrate on Munster's forthcoming Heineken Cup final against Toulouse.

Kidney will have no input into the selection or preparation of the squad. The Irish Rugby Football Union are expected to confirm a temporary management team for the summer tour shortly.

South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White, former Leicester boss Pat Howard and Wales' Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock had all been linked with the post.

But the Irish Rugby Union have turned to Kidney, who worked as O'Sullivan's assistant between 2002 and 2004 and has delivered great success to Munster on the European stage.

After a series of near misses, Kidney delivered Munster's first Heineken Cup triumph in 2006 with victory over Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium.

And he returns to Cardiff with Munster on May 24 chasing a second European triumph in three years before assuming the biggest job of his career.

"There is no greater honour for any coach than to lead his own country. I have had that privilege at several levels of the game in Ireland from schools and under-19s as well as working with the senior Ireland team and I am delighted to have this opportunity and to be here at what is the pinnacle of my career," said Kidney.

"I have worked with many exceptional players during my career at both international and provincial level and there is no doubt that we have the talent in Ireland to be successful at the highest level."