Ireland rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan has dismissed calls for his resignation following Ireland's exit from the World Cup.
O'Sullivan said he intends to see out his four-year contract and fully expects it to be honoured by the IRFU.
Speaking to the media this morning, the Ireland coach said he still had the appetite for the job.
O'Sullivan added that the squad was hugely disappointed with their World Cup campaign because they had not produced the rugby they are capable of.
O'Sullivan said if he could have changed anything the team would have played a lot more rugby before the tournament.
'It's not a question of relief that I signed the contract before the World Cup,' said O'Sullivan, who is believed to be set to earn €350,000 a year.
'It was a question of where we go for four years, because the IRFU believe in a four-year cycle.
'The contract was drawn up knowing we were going into a very difficult World Cup. However, the IRFU were happy we were going forward.'
O'Sullivan remains convinced that the team can return to its former heights in terms of performance.
However, his optimism of getting them through to the next World Cup may be tempered by the fact that almost 90% of the squad, and an even higher percentage of the starting XV against the Pumas, will be well into their 30s by 2011.
'It is a fair question about whether what we saw at the World Cup from this side suggests they are on an irreversible slide,' said O'Sullivan, who has been in charge since replacing his former boss Warren Gatland in 2001.
