Mike Ruddock has stepped down as coach of the Ireland Under-20 rugby team.
The former Wales head coach was in charge of the side for the last four seasons, and led them to a fourth-place finish at the Junior World Cup last June.
Connacht Rugby's Nigel Carolan will now undertake the coaching requirements of the team.
Carolan, who has been the academy manager since 2004, will retain his role with the province.
He was an assistant coach with Ireland U20s from 2008 to 2010.
Ruddock said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the Ireland Under-20 team and it has been very rewarding.
"In particular our performances on the world stage have been extremely competitive and I am pleased to be able to hand over the reins knowing that the team is now a top-four world-ranked nation.
“Around 10 players return with international experience at Under-20 level for the season ahead and so the team is well placed to be successful in the next Six Nations and Junior World Cup tournaments.
“It has been difficult trying to juggle the ever increasing demands of the age-grade programme whilst coaching Lansdowne FC in the Ulster Bank League, and now it's time to concentrate on trying to add another UBL title to the one we won in 2013.”
