Munster assistant coach Niall O'Donovan is to leave Munster to become full-time forwards coach with the Irish national team.
The Irish Rugby Football Union snapped up Munster coach Declan Kidney at the end of November as assistant to Eddie O'Sullivan, who replaced Warren Gatland as Irish coach following the New Zealander's sacking.
Now the IRFU have returned to Munster to pick up Kidney's right-hand man.
Former Shannon coach O'Donovan had been favourite to replace Kidney in the Munster job.
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The pair guided the Irish provincial champions to the European Cup final in 2000 only to lose to Northampton as well as last year's semi-finals, when they were edged out by Stade Francais.
- PA