The IRFU has revealed that former international Paul McNaughton has been named as the new Ireland team manager.
McNaughton is the first appointment to the new Ireland management team following the confirmation of Declan Kidney as coach.
McNaughton will also hold the position of manager up to and including the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
He will officially take up his position in tandem with Declan Kidney following the Heineken Cup final on 24 May but will not be involved in the preparation of the Ireland team for the upcoming Barbarians encounter or the summer tour.
Commenting on his appointment, a delighted McNaughton commented: ‘I am looking forward to working with Declan and the rest of the players over the coming months and beyond.
‘I can echo his sentiments by saying that there is no greater honour than working with your own national team and while certainly there are challenges ahead for all of us, there is also a certain amount of anticipation about the possibilities that exist for Irish rugby and this squad.
‘Declan's focus will remain totally on the Munster team for the next number of weeks and following this we will be setting about putting in place the structures around the team ahead of the Autumn internationals.’
McNaughton represented Wanderers and Greystones, where he has served as a player, captain, coach and president.
The new team manager won 15 caps for Ireland between 1978 and 1981, before becoming an influential administrator with Leinster in later years where he first struck up a working relationship with Kidney.
