McGahan is handed the task of leading Munster forward

RUGBY:TONY McGAHAN yesterday continued the successful relationship Munster have cultivated with Australian coaches over the years. The Munster backs coach for the past three seasons became the second Aussie to take over from Declan Kidney after Alan Gaffney also took over from Kidney in 2002.

McGahan has been confirmed as director of coaching following Kidney's elevation to the Ireland job following the resignation of Eddie O'Sullivan earlier this year.

The appointment has been ratified by the IRFU and McGahan will take up the appointment on July 1st when he returns from holidays in Sydney.

"I am delighted to be chosen as the next Munster director of coaching," he said.

"It is a privilege and a great honour to be asked to lead one of the top clubs and biggest brand names in world rugby. Having been involved with Munster for the past three seasons I fully realise what the expectations of all Munster supporters are. With a solid group of senior players at my disposal plus an exciting batch of young players coming through, a talented management group and strong administration, I hope to continue and fulfil those expectations in the short and long term."

McGahan is seen as a model selection for the European champions as his promotion represents an almost seamless change of command from Kidney. For a reputedly tight-knit group like the Munster squad, his familiarity with the players, the ethos and systems also means there will be the least possible disruption all round during the transition.

McGahan is also intimate with the work of fellow Australian and forwards coach Jim Williams, who departed to take up a position with the Australian national side after the Heineken Cup final. Yesterday Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald confirmed Williams's place will not be filled until McGahan returns to Ireland to take up his appointment.

The presumption is the new head coach will decide himself which forwards coach best fits the Munster ideal.

Married, with twin boys, the 35-year-old arrived to Munster in 2006 as a replacement for Graham Steadman, who left the province when he was appointed by the IRFU to the position of Irish defence coach as part of O'Sullivan's team.

Before that McGahan coached for a season in Japan with professional outfit IBM.

Like Kidney, McGahan is a schoolteacher by profession but unlike the Cork man, he played both rugby union and rugby league. His league career spanned periods with Queensland under-19s, the Australian Universities and the Brisbane Broncos.

In 2003 he was coaching union with the Queensland Schoolboys and Eastern District premier grade before being elevated to assistant coach of the Australian A team. A year later he took up the job of assistant coach to Queensland A and was coaching co-ordinator for the Australian Under-19 team at the 2004 World Cup.

"I am looking forward to the challenges ahead, both in Magners League and Heineken Cup competitions," he added. "I have enjoyed my time working under Declan Kidney and would like to wish him all the very best in his role with the national side."

Unusually for a coach who has been with a side for less than three full seasons, McGahan has been fortunate enough to be part of a squad that has twice won the Heineken Cup during his tenure.

Munster were successful in 2006 shortly after he arrived in the second half of the season and then again this year, when it was known Kidney would be leaving his post after the final against Toulouse in Cardiff.

While he faces the onerous task of trying to follow in Kidney's successful footsteps, he also has the experience of being centrally involved in the processes of what makes a European Cup-winning side.

Despite the dour nature of the final in the Millennium Stadium, this season Munster also moved from being a forward-dominated side to one where the running back line was one of the most potent in the competition.

"I am very pleased that the process to fill the position has been finalised and done so in such an expedient manner," added Fitzgerald.

"Tony McGahan has been involved with us for the past number of years, a period that saw him play an integral part in our Heineken Cup success and consistency in the Magners League. In that time he has displayed all the qualities that we believe are required to keep Munster to the forefront and we wish him well in the challenging times that lie ahead."

At a glance Track record

Age:35

Status: Married

Children:Twin boys

Coaching: IBM Japan; Australia A assistant; Queensland A assistant

Playing:Queensland Schoolboys and Eastern District (Union); Queensland U19 and Brisbane Broncos (League)