O’Sullivan bows to pressure and goes

The reign of the longest serving Irish rugby coach came to an end as Eddie O’Sullivan bowed to enormous pressure and resigned after 6 and a half years in charge.

The decision was reached after a day of discussion between O’Sullivan, his agent John Baker and the IRFU chief executive Phillip Browne.

After a sub standard World Cup the pressure was firmly on “Steady Eddie” to perform in the Six Nations, but with only victories over the bottom two teams in Italy and Scotland the pressure became too much.

In a statement released by O’Sullivan, he said that “At the conclusion of the Six Nations Championship and having giving my role as coach much consideration, I have decided to step down”

He went on to thank the IRFU and his backroom staff who helped him during his tenure. “I would like to thank the IRFU for their unwavering support of me as coach of the team”

“I would also like to thank my back room staff and the players” O’Sullivan continues. “Their commitment and professionalism in representing their country has been consummate”

O’Sullivan leaves behind a team that he guided to unparallel success, capturing three Triple Crowns in four years.

However there are many people who still felt that O’Sullivan under achieved giving the pool of talent at his disposal.

The final nail in the coffin for O’Sullivan appeared to come when Ireland folded so tamely against Wales in Croke Park where they lost 16-12.

There is a touch of irony in this as the man whom O’Sullivan replaced, Warren Gatland became the very man who cost O’Sullivan his job.

The IRFU have confirmed that they have started the process of looking for a new manager with Munster coach Declan Kidney among the favorites.

One player has already let it be known whom he would like to see take over from O’Sullivan.

Irish scrum half Eoin Redden has stated that he would like to see former Australia centre Pat Howard be appointed the successor to Eddie O’Sullivan.

- Alan Conway