IRFU pay tribute to O'Sullivan

Video

• One News: Clare MacNamara reports that the Irish Rugby Football Union has accepted the resignation of Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan

Audio

• News At One: Anne-Marie McNerney gets public reaction to Eddie O'Sullivan's decision to step down as the Ireland rugby coach
• News At One: Mike Ruddock, former Wales rugby coach, says Eddie O'Sullivan will have no problem getting a new coaching job

The Irish Rugby Football Union has paid tribute to former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan after he tendered his resignation last night.

O'Sullivan resigned as Ireland coach following a disappointing Six Nations campaign and the side's early exit from last year's World Cup.

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IRFU Chief Executive, Philip Browne said: '(We) respect the decision by Eddie O'Sullivan to resign as Head Coach to the senior Ireland rugby team.

'In accepting his wish to step down, I want to emphasise the high regard the Union has for him and the achievements he attained during his reign in office.

'His record as Ireland's most successful coach is his proud legacy and all of us in Irish rugby are grateful to him for the many memorable moments and achievements our senior Irish players and squads attained to during his coaching tenure.

'I want to congratulate and thank him for that contribution to Irish rugby and to wish him every success in his future career,' Browne added.

The IRFU must now find a long-term replacement or a caretaker to mind the squad for fixtures with the Barbarians, New Zealand and Australia in May and June.

Munster's Declan Kidney and South Africa's World Cup-winning coach, Jake White, are the bookmakers' early favourites to succeed O'Sullivan.