Ireland
Kiss Ulster's new director of rugby ... but not yet
ESPN Staff
October 8, 2014

Les Kiss will leave the Ireland set-up after Rugby World Cup 2015 to become Ulster's full-time director of rugby.

As expected, Ulster announced Neil Doak as the province's new head coach and at the same time said Kiss would join them after the 2015 tournament. Kiss has been helping the side in recent weeks but will return to his national duties after this weekend.

"Les is tremendous value and his integrity, coaching ability and positivity will add definite value to Ulster in the long term," said Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt. "

Doak said he appreciated having been given an extended trial following David Humphreys departure on the eve of the season. "If you're applying for other posts there would be an interview process. I suppose when you're in the day-to-day running of things, that in a sense might be an extended interview as well.

"Without officially going through an interview process, Les coming in has given Shane Logan and the board time to assess what the best options are moving forward."

Kiss said that while excited about his appointment, he had to concentrate on Ireland for the moment. "I'm delighted to get the security in the long term [but] I am very much focused first and foremost on the next 12 months. It's exciting that the Springboks arrive here in just over three weeks and that the Guinness Series is almost upon us.

"The national coaching team have remained in close contact and Joe [Schmidt] has been particularly supportive of my dual roles over the last few months, which has made things a lot easier for me."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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