Ireland to decide O'Sullivan's fate

Updated 15.28 Sun Mar 16 2008

Keywords: Eddie O'Sullivan, Ireland, Six Nations

Eddie O'Sullivan's inevitable departure will dominate proceedings when the Irish Rugby Football Union meet their stricken coach to discuss a dismal RBS Six Nations.

O'Sullivan's six-and-a-half-year reign appears doomed, and the terms of his severance package will top the agenda at the gathering with his paymasters.

Talk has shifted from 'will O'Sullivan go?' to 'when will he go?'

A review is traditionally held during the week after a tournament is finished, and the only question is how quickly the IRFU want to act.

With a four-year contract in his back pocket - secured shortly before the disastrous World Cup by the IRFU - O'Sullivan is in a strong negotiating position, and his pay-off will be considerable.

Talk has shifted from 'will the 49-year-old go?' to 'when will he go?' - and the timing of his exit hinges on the succession planning at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland's worst championship since 1999 and lowest Six Nations finish, following hot on the heels of an abysmal World Cup and the subsequent freefall down the IRB rankings, has hammered the final nail in the coffin.

England's easy 33-10 victory at Twickenham delivered the fatal blow, with Ireland's collapse to an error-strewn rabble after making an explosive start - exposing the lack off confidence running throughout the team.

The IRFU have been criticised for not terminating O'Sullivan's contract after Ireland had crashed out of the World Cup in humiliating fashion.