Eddie O'Sullivan has been appointed as the new coach of the USA rugby team.
The former Ireland coach will take charge of the team through to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
He worked there previously for two years in the late 1990s as an assistant coach and technical director from 1997 to 1999 before rejoining Ireland.
Coincidently his first game in charge will be against Ireland in the United States on the 30 May.
‘I am delighted to accept the invitation to coach the US Eagles,’ O'Sullivan said. ‘It is an exciting challenge, which comes at a crucial period when I share their ambitions to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2011.
‘In re-joining USA Rugby I am going back to my coaching roots as it were and while I am delighted that much progress has been made since my last involvement, I am driven now by a determination that I share with the Eagles to demonstrate that USA Rugby has the resolve to establish its identity amongst the leading nations in the game.’
In his new role, he will be charged with continuing the development of the game in the United States, where it is popular at youth and college level but has little standing as a professional sport.
‘We are obviously delighted to announce Eddie as the new Eagles coach,’ USA Rugby chief executive Nigel Melville said.
‘He is knowledgeable about the American game and has an outstanding track record as an international coach. Eddie has worked with the world's top players and will bring enormous enthusiasm to the role.’
