Declan Kidney has been named as the new Ireland head coach but the IRFU confirmed that the current Munster coach will be given time to concentrate on the Heineken Cup final and will play no part in Ireland's summer tour.
Kidney succeeds Eddie O'Sullivan, who stepped down after poor World Cup and Six Nations campaigns, and the new coach will lead Ireland up to and through the next World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
"There is no greater honour for any coach then to lead his own country," he said. "I have had that privilege at several levels of the game in Ireland from schools and U19's as well as working with the senior Ireland team and I am delighted to have this opportunity and to be here at what is the pinnacle of my career."
"I have worked with many exceptional players during my career at both international and provincial level and there is no doubt that we have the talent in Ireland to be successful at the highest level.
"The challenge going forward for the Ireland team and Irish Rugby as a whole is to continue the growth and success on the field. I am excited about the challenge and looking forward to working with the players."
However, the Munster coach currently has more pressing matters to deal with as he aims to win a second European title. Munster take on Toulouse in the final at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, May 24th.
Kidney's appointment was an open secret, particularly after potential overseas targets including Jake White and Pat Howard ruled themselves out of the running.
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said it was important make the announcement as soon as possible but he was mindful of not interfering with Munster's preparation for the match against Toulouse.
Browne said: "Declan Kidney's record speaks for itself and it was obvious from the very beginning of this process that he was one of the main contenders to lead Ireland to the next Rugby World Cup in 2011."
It was also agreed that Kidney would play no part in selection process and preparation of the Ireland squad for the forthcoming summer tour games against the Barbarians, New Zealand and Australia.
Kidney's coaching career started in earnest with PBC, Dolphin and the Irish schools before he led the Ireland under-19s to victory in the FIRA World Cup in 1998, after which he took up the Munster job.
He guided the province to two European Cup finals (2000 and 2002) but lost out to Northampton and Leicester respectively.
He remained at Thomond Park until 2002 when he began his first stint with Ireland, as assistant to O'Sullivan. That relationship effectively ended when the coach was granted the first of his pre-World Cup contract extensions, but the gesture was not replicated throughout his staff.
Amid rumours of an acrimonious split, Kidney was frozen out after the 2003 World Cup and offered the position of performance manager for underage rugby. He declined and departed these shores to coach the Celtic Dragons (Newport-Gwent), where he spent just three months before moving back to Ireland and Leinster.
His Leinster side reached a Heineken European Cup quarter-final after winning six out of six of their pool games, but the coach was heavily criticised for his team selection before and after defeat to Leicester. This, and his desire to return to Munster does not sit well with many of the Leinster faithful to this day.
With his journey having come full circle he immediately completed the task he so nearly achieved twice previously, by winning a Heineken Cup, beating Biarritz in the 2006 final in Cardiff.
Despite the defeat to Llanelli Scarlets the following year Munster were ranked as Europe's number one team in 2008 and they will back in the Millennium Stadium later this month to face Toulouse in the European final.
A second European Cup would copper-fasten his position as a Munster legend. The hope now is that he can recreate it on the international stage.
