Super Rugby
Eddie O'Sullivan linked with vacant Force post
ESPN Staff
May 24, 2012
USA Eagles head coach Eddie O'Sullivan, Tonga v USA, Churchill Cup, Esher RFC, England, June 8, 2011
Eddie O'Sullivan was in charge of the USA Eagles at last year's Rugby World Cup © Getty Images
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Teams: Australia | Force | Ireland

Former Ireland and USA coach Eddie O'Sullivan has held talks with the Western Force about potentially taking charge of the Super Rugby side.

The Irish Times reports that O'Sullivan, who parted company with the Eagles following last year's Rugby World Cup, recently held talks with the Perth-based franchise who are conducting a global search for a new coach following Richard Graham's recent departure to Australian rivals the Reds.

O'Sullivan's agent, John Baker, also confirmed to the newspaper that the 53-year-old is a contender for the vacant coaching role at the Auckland-based Blues job. "Eddie has not been down to Australia but he has held preliminary talks with the Force," Baker said. "It is for a coaching position, not necessarily the head coaching position, as the talks have not reached that stage yet.

"There is also an interest in the vacant position at the Auckland Blues," Baker added.

O'Sullivan, who coached Ireland to three triple crowns between 2001 and 2008, has previously been linked with a coaching return with the Cardiff Blues and Gloucester.

Former Leinster boss Michael Cheika, who parted company with Top 14 side Stade Francais earlier this month, was thought to be the leading candidate for the Force job but is thought to be seeking a move to England. Other names reportedly in the mix are Connacht backs coach Brian Melrose, John Mulvihill and Tim Lane.

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