LES KISS has been named Ireland's new defence coach. The Australian comes with a decent pedigree having recently held the same role with the New South Wales Waratahs who reached this year's Super 14 final.
Like most rugby union defensive gurus, Kiss was capped at international level in rugby league and made the successful code switch in 2001 when recruited by the Springboks.
South Africa had the best defensive record, with just 11 tries conceded, in the 2001 Tri-Nations. He subsequently worked with South African franchises the Stormers, the Cats and the Bulls.
On return to the Waratahs in 2003 he took up a role specialising in defence and backs strategy and was appointed assistant coach of Australia A and the under-21s until 2007. He has also coached in Japan with IBM on two occasions, the second stint as recently as this year.
Along with World Cup-winning South African forwards coach Gert Smal, the IRFU and new head coach Declan Kidney are certainly compiling a formidable backroom team.
"This is another key appointment and again we are delighted to have secured someone with Les's experience and top level coaching credentials," said Kidney. "He brings with him a fresh outlook and coaching ideas from both codes and I am sure will add a new dimension to the defence aspect of the team."
The coaching staff can be completed by a backline expert although Alan Gaffney's title as "coaching consultant" to Leinster opens the door for additional association at international level.
