Eddie O'Sullivan's inevitable departure will dominate proceedings when the IRFU meet their stricken coach to discuss a dismal Six Nations campaign.
O'Sullivan's six-and-a-half-year reign appears doomed, and the terms of his severance package will top the agenda at the gathering with his paymasters.
A review is traditionally held during the week after a tournament is finished, and the only question is how quickly the IRFU want to act.
With a four-year contract in his back pocket — secured shortly before the disastrous World Cup by the IRFU — O'Sullivan is in a strong negotiating position, and his pay-off will be considerable.
Talk has shifted from 'will the 49-year-old go?' to 'when will he go?' — and the timing of his exit hinges on the succession planning at Lansdowne Road.
Ireland's worst championship since 1999 and lowest Six Nations finish, following hot on the heels of an abysmal World Cup and the subsequent freefall down the IRB rankings, has hammered the final nail in the coffin.
England's easy 33-10 victory at Twickenham yesterday delivered the fatal blow, with Ireland's collapse to an error-strewn rabble after making an explosive start — exposing the lack off confidence running throughout the team.
Even former captain Keith Wood — a staunch O'Sullivan ally — has accepted the side are regressing. But, at least in public, the man himself is determined to continue.
"Absolutely, I believe I'm the right man to lead Irish rugby," he said. "The big question for me is 'have I still got the hunger for the job?' — and the answer to that is 'absolutely'.
"I love this job and have always given it 110%. If I felt I couldn't give that then I'd be the first to admit it. I love this job and intend to give everything I have as long as I'm doing it.
"My position is that at this moment in time I'm not making any decisions about anything. What we do after every tournament is have a meeting with the Irish Rugby Football Union and discuss the bigger picture.
"After that, I suppose we'll know what we're doing going forward. Until then, there is not much point in doing anything."
A statement released by the IRFU this afternoon failed to shed any light on O'Sullivan's immediate future — but the lack of support for their head coach in response to widespread calls for his removal was notable.
Philip Browne, the IRFU's chief executive, commiserated with disappointed Ireland fans — who may greet his promise of another review with glazed eyes.
The Genesis Report that followed the World Cup debacle was based on an exhaustive interview process, yet none of its recommendations have been implemented.
Browne said: "The IRFU shares in the disappointment with the outcome of this year's RBS Six Nations from an Irish perspective and will be undertaking a detailed review of our performance.
"Our objective in this, as always, will be to ensure the Irish team has in place the optimal structures to allow it to perform at the highest international levels in the future."
