Former Australia coach Robbie Deans has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Leinster head coach role.
Deans, currently coaching Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, has said due to his contractual arrangements with the Asian club, he would not be interested in moving to the Irish province.
The 55-year-old, who will coach the Barbarians in their clash with Ireland at Thomond Park on Thursday, is quoted in the Irish Times as saying: “It’s always nice that people think you’re capable of doing a job like that, but in terms of the realities, I’m currently contracted to Panasonic.
“[The job is] not in the timelines that would suit me at the minute. I would say it is very attractive...for someone.
"But not for me. It’s a great destination, a great place to live and play the game and there is great competition.”
New Zealand-born Deans coached Australia from 2008 to 2013, having previously served as Crusaders coach and All Blacks assistant coach.
His time at Crusaders remains the most successful of any Super Rugby coach, resulting in five titles over eight seasons. And during his tenure of the Wallabies his side won the Tri-Nations in 2011 and finished third in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
With Deans now out of contention it would appear that Clermont forwards coach Jono Gibbes (who has also previously served the same role at Leinster) and another former Australia coach, Ewen McKenzie, are next in line for consideration.
