ANDY LESLIE is set to become the new director of rugby for Munster following discussions with Irish coach Brian Ashton and manager Pat Whelan over the last 48 hours. This follows the u-turn by John Bevan, who had agreed terms for the same three year contract with the IRFU.
The 34 times capped All Black has worked with Whelan before, having coached Garryowen to the All Ireland league title. Bobby Deacy, the IRFU president who linked up with the Irish A/Development tour last Friday, met Leslie yesterday and confirmed afterwards that Leslie had been offered the Munster portfolio.
Deacy estimated that the likelihood of Leslie taking the Munster job was 80 per cent, given that he had still to tie up several loose ends. However, the timing seems particularly good for Leslie, given that the IRFU's approach coincides with the closure of his jointly owned clothing shop.
Despite his relative success with Garryowen, the choice of Leslie seems to conflict with the IRFU's recent provincial appointments. Unlike, say, Connacht's Warren Gatland, Leslie is more of a name coach who has been through the New Zealand coaching treadmill.
