AUDIO: As the IRFU's three-man appointment committee continue their search for a new Ireland head coach, former incumbent Warren Gatland has said Declan Kidney is the ideal man for the job.

Gatland, fresh from leading Wales to a Grand Slam in just his first season in charge, can see no better candidate to succeed Eddie O'Sullivan than the current Munster coach.

"He's had a fantastic record going way back with Irish schools and with Munster and I think Declan has done a huge job having won the Heineken Cup a couple of seasons ago," Gatland told Newstalk radio this morning.

"I think that's a huge achievement and they've been consistent year after year and I think he could do a great job for Ireland."

Click here  to hear the full interview.

* Read Gerry Thornley's interview with Warren Gatland in tomorrow's Irish Times