Rugby News round-up: Munster have acted quickly in confirming media reports from Sunday that coach Alan Gaffney will leave the province at the end of the season to take up a position as assistant coach to Eddie Jones with the Australian national squad.
Gaffney, who has led Munster to two European Cup semi-finals, a Celtic League title and into the quarter-finals of this season's European Cup, was approached by Jones and the Wallabies manager Phil Thompson earlier this month, and over the weekend was contacted again.
He has now formally accepted the offer from the Australian Rugby Union and will leave his Munster position when his contract expires at the end of May.
It is believed Gaffney, who has been in the Munster job for three years after two seasons with Leinster, was one of two names in the hat, along with former Wallaby Rod Kafer, to operate as a specialist backs coach.Gaffney and Jones come from the Randwick club and have known each other for more than two decades. Their professional relationship, in fact, has come full circle, as the 58-year-old Gaffney coached Jones in the 1980s and later gave him his first coaching job.
Gaffney informed the Munster squad of his decision to move back to Sydney before yesterday morning's training session in Cork, and afterwards admitted it had been "a pretty difficult occasion" for him. "Yes, it was tough. These are a great bunch of guys. I have had three marvellous years with Munster and enjoyed every minute," he said.
"Munster have been good for me and for my family. I have had a very good working relationship with all concerned, particularly Garrett Fitzgerald (CEO) and Jerry Holland (manager). I had anticipated being here a while longer, so yes it will be a wrench to leave it all behind.
"However, I think everyone here understands the decision I made. I feel deeply honoured to have been asked to assume the role in question and I am looking forward to the challenge."
The coach, however, was keen to return to the current challenge, Munster's Celtic League game against Cardiff Blues in the Arms Park at the weekend.
"What needs to be done right now is to concentrate on the job in hand. In the very immediate future we have a Celtic League game on Saturday. We are still in contention for that title, there is the Celtic Cup and of course we are just a month - three games - away from the Heineken Cup quarter-final with Biarritz."
Fitzgerald, who will be part of a Munster committee which will meet this week to begin the process of finding a successor to Gaffney, expressed regret at the move.
"We had hoped that Alan would extend his contract with us for a further period," said Fitzgerald. "His three years here has been hugely beneficial, and we do, of course, regret losing a coach of his ability, one who has served Munster rugby so well."
Already bookmakers Paddy Power have made former Munster and Ireland scrumhalf and current Connacht coach Michael Bradley and Munster forwards coach Brian Hickey 5 to 1 joint favourites to succeed Gaffney. Also in the running are Ireland assistant coach Niall O'Donovan (11 to 2) and former Ireland captain Mick Galwey (6 to 1).
As a result of Gaffney's announcement Munster delayed naming a team until today for Saturday's game, though they expect Frankie Sheahan and Marcus Horan to be available.
Leinster also wait for news on whether Gordon D'Arcy is available and if Keith Gleeson's fitness is up to Celtic League level to face the Ospreys.
Ulster select today, but have confirmed second row Rowan Frost has been ruled out of Friday's match against Glasgow at Ravenhill after damaging ankle ligaments in training yesterday. Outhalf David Humphreys is unavailable as he is named in the Northern Hemisphere team to face the Southern Hemisphere in the Tsunami charity match in Twickenham.
Meanwhile, Connacht outhalf Paul Warwick is a doubt for the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup against Sale Sharks next month after undergoing surgery for a groin injury.
