Ireland coach Declan Kidney today finalised his backroom team with the appointment of Paul Pook as strength-and-conditioning coach. Pook has been added to the coaching ticket following the departure of Mike McGurn earlier in the year.

Pook has been closely involved with the IRFU's conditioning courses over the last three years having previously worked with Harlequins and both the Irish and Welsh under-21 sides. He has been given a contract until the end of the 2011 World Cup.

"Paul brings excellent experience in this area and importantly a good understanding and knowledge of working with the provincial teams," Kidney said today.

"As with all of the other areas of coaching, we want to be able to work closely with the provinces to allow a smooth transition for the players into and out of the Ireland team with their provincial teams and clubs, with fitness and conditioning a key element to this."

Pook added: "International rugby demands the highest levels of fitness and hopefully my background and knowledge will add something to help the team to be successful in the coming years."

Pook joins Kidney, Paul McNaughton (team manager) Gert Smal (forwards coach) Alan Gaffney (backs coach) Mark Tainton (kicking coach) and Lee Kiss (defence coach) in the new Ireland coaching set-up.