THE IRFU'S three-man appointments committee of Neil Jackson, Noel Murphy and Pa Whelan are continuing their search for a new Ireland head coach but with little sign of them coming to a decision in the short term. Ideally, they would like to have the new man in place for the Tests against New Zealand and Australia on June 7th and 14th but the possibility of a caretaker coach assuming command has not been ruled out.

Having met for the first time two weeks ago, the three men have been left to their own devices until they come to a decision and then make their recommendation to the 10-man management committee. According to an IRFU spokesperson, "they are in contact with each other all the time" and have not formally enlisted outside help: "They (the three) are of an esteem and a standing to talk to whoever they want to."

The spokesperson rejected the notion the Union are under pressure to emulate the FAI in choosing a high-profile name (as with Giovanni Trapattoni). "That is absolutely not the case."

But even though the imminent summer tour affords less time, he said, "There is no timeframe to get the right man for the job as they see fit."

As the Ireland-Barbarians match at Kingsholm is scheduled for two days after the Heineken Cup final, then depending on Munster's result against Saracens three weeks hence, that may or may not complicate the possibility of offering the job to Declan Kidney. Alternatively, the three men's preferred option could be based abroad and still be under contract till season's end.

The IRFU have confirmed the contracts of the other coaching staff that served under Eddie O'Sullivan will not be renewed.

As they expired at the conclusion of the Six Nations, or April 1st, this effectively means Niall O'Donovan, Graham Steadman, Mark Tainton, skills coach Brian McLoughlin (who had always intended returning to teaching) and fitness coach Mike McGurn (who has been short-listed for the All Blacks job) are free agents.

With Pat Howard, especially, and John Mitchell having apparently ruled themselves out, the list of foreign coaches who have openly declared a desire to be Ireland's next head coach may not be what the IRFU headhunters had in mind. But following on from the expression of interest by the recently dismissed Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie, the former Blue Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has thrown his hat into the ring.

Having guided the Blue Bulls to South African rugby's first Super 14 success with a dramatic final win over the Sharks, Meyer was controversially overlooked for the vacancy left by the departure of the World Cup winner Jake White.

White has brazenly, if so far forlornly, campaigned for the England job, which is now seemingly set for Martin Johnson while Brian Ashton is left dangling. Even if White were to suddenly declare an interest in the Ireland job it would surely now seem opportunistic.

Meyer is also disaffected with the South African union (Sarfu) after they admitted politics played a part in the appointment of Pieter de Villiers and has been working for the sports-nutrition company USN in his native Pretoria.

"I miss being involved in something special and a culture where people will die for each other. I always thought Irish rugby has that passion. Obviously it would be an honour if Ireland approach me but at this stage there has been no official approach," he said, effectively inviting the IRFU to do so.

Having coached South West Districts, Meyer was Springboks forwards coach to Nick Mallett 10 years ago but, no less than White, he has no experience of coaching in the Northern Hemisphere, much less in Ireland.

Well regarded though he is in the Southern Hemisphere, his success with the Bulls has to be put in the context of Graham Henry's insisting all his leading All Black frontliners were rested for the first seven weeks of the campaign.

Meyer's candidature will please some within the IRFU hierarchy and the media who would seemingly prefer anyone to Kidney, whatever about the reservations emanating from the Leinster camp. Privately, a couple of Leinster players who would not mind Kidney succeeding Eddie O'Sullivan would have genuine reservations about giving the job to a South African with little experience outside those shores - be it White, Meyer or anyone else.

By contrast, Australian coaches, especially, and New Zealanders are generally seen as more cerebral and technically gifted than those from a country that uniformly produces big, powerful and dynamic athletes and a game based on dominating collisions.

Speaking on Newstalk, Munster's Australian defensive coach Tony McGahon said it was astonishing Kidney had apparently not yet been approached (though only Kidney and the three wise men know if this is so) or that the IRFU might look elsewhere.

"Well, I think his record speaks for itself," said McGahon. "I certainly would find it perplexing.

"These other names are being bandied about without looking in their own country. Obviously, being Australian, I would find it difficult bringing names out for the sake of it. His (Kidney's) man management is extremely good, so obviously, with the right people around him, his ability to uplift and bring the side to playing cohesive rugby could be one he would be able to bring to the (Irish) side."