SQUEAKY BUM TIME
THE CLOSEST Premiership title race in recent memory will be decided on the final day with Manchester United and Chelsea locked level on 84 points.
United travel to Wigan knowing their superior goal difference will see them take the title with a victory, but Chelsea are waiting in the wings with three points at home to Bolton considered a near certainty.
Arsenal and Liverpool will take the other Champions League places while Everton lie three points ahead of Villa in the race to claim the UEFA Cup spot.
Dire Derby will go down with the lowest points total in Premiership history and will be joined by two of Reading and Fulham (33 points) and Birmingham (32).
All other issues in the English leagues have been decided:
Championship - promoted: West Brom, Stoke; relegated - Colchester, Scunthorpe, Leicester; play-offs - Hull v Watford, Bristol City v C Palace.
League One - promoted: Swansea, Notts Forest; relegated - Luton, Port Vale, Gillingham, Bournemouth; play-offs - Doncaster v Southend, Carlisle v Leeds.
League Two - promoted: MK Dons, Peterborough, Hereford; relegated - Wrexham, Mansfield; play-offs - Stockport v Wycombe; Rochdale v Darlington.
Blue Square Premier - promoted - Aldershot; play-off final - Cambridge v Exeter.
SVEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?
SWEDISH sexual sensation Sven-Goran Eriksson said he doesn’t expect the support of Manchester City fans will make any difference as he faces the prospect of the axe at the season’s end and is already in talks with Benfica - maybe he could arrange a house swap with Portugal boss Big Phil Scolari (above) who looks set to take over City’s poisoned chalice.
Eriksson’s future dominated attention during their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, with City fans maintaining a barrage of support for their manager.
Their target was owner Thaksin Shinawatra’s decision, it’s believed, to axe Eriksson after their final match against Middlesbrough.
When confronted with questions about whether fans can make a difference to his future, he said: “I don’t think so.
“It was fantastic. Of course I’m thankful. They have been fantastic all season, incredible.
“Maybe it will not affect things, I don’t know, but they’re wonderful, especially as we haven’t won anything.”
When City fan and Oasis idol Noel Gallagher was asked for his input on the matter he said: “I’d give him a big kiss. And I’d say ‘you know what, Sven? Take him to the cleaners’.”
PREMIERSHIP FACES BORE WAR
FUN loving Kevin Keegan thinks the Premiership could soon become one of the most boring leagues in the world.
Speaking after his Newcastle side were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea, while appreciating the quality of the top sides in the league, Keegan lamented the lack of genuine competition in the division often held up as the best in the world.
King Kev said: “You usually have one exceptional side a season but this year we have two.
“I think Chelsea would be worthy champions but I don’t think they will finish first.
“This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring, but great leagues in the world. The top four next year will be the same as this year.”
Keegan is resigned to the fact it’s simply not possible for a side such as Newcastle to crack the top four these days, claiming that a fifth place finish is the best he can hope for:
“We’re a million miles away from challenging for the league but if my owner backs me we want to try and finish fifth and top the other mini-league.”
His complaint was echoed by Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, who said: “The fact is, everybody knew from day one who’d be the top four. The only question was in which order they came. That just showed it is a very predictable league. Quite a lot of Premier League games are rather boring, aren’t they?”
• FABIO Capello must take England to at least the semi-finals of the next World Cup or Euro 2012 as part of ambitious new FA targets.
The FA announced a strategic vision which also includes a winning bid for the 2018 World Cup, having the National Football Centre at Burton up and running in two years and Wembley making a profit by 2012. The press conference was held in Cloud Cuckoo Land.
• MARTIN O’Neill labelled Patrik a silly Berger and made sure he’ll never play for Villa again after urging Gareth Barry to join Liverpool.
The Villa boss slammed the Czech midfielder’s comments as ‘ludicrous, disappointing and surprising’ after the former Kop ace claimed if he was in Barry’s position he’d ‘go to Anfield tomorrow.’
HOBBLING has-been Harry Kewell (below) will have cost Liverpool the small matter of £157,554 a game by the time his ill-fated Anfield career comes to an end at the end of this month.
The Reds are releasing their Aussie winger, 29, after just 139 appearances for the Kop in five years.
Gerard Houllier signed him from Leeds for £5million in July 2003, with the rest of the astronomical sum being made up by wages.
Evidence of how much the one-time wonderkid’s star has fallen comes with him being linked with Fulham. How times change.
Kewell will be one of a host of departures with Rafa Benitez also likely to offload Peter Crouch, Scott Carson, John Arne Riise and Jermaine Pennant.
LOSER LAWRIE’S LOST HIS LOLLY
DOLE scrounger Lawrie Sanchez revealed he has been forced to take Fulham to the managers’ arbitration tribunal because his contract hasn’t been paid off.
Sanchez was replaced by Roy Hodgson in December but the lack of cash has prompted him to tread a path he says is “demeaning for me and should be demeaning for the club.”
“People think that when you’ve been sacked you’re paid off and that everything is alright. But it doesn’t work like that. They say ‘take us to court and sue us, see if you can get the money.’
“They know managers lack their resources and have to give in and settle for a figure nowhere near what the contract is worth. I’ve not been paid a penny since I’ve left Fulham and my healthcare’s been cut off.”
Although Sanchez (right) clearly hasn’t heard of the NHS, he claims to know why Fulham have a chance to stay up - him.
He added: “I managed Fulham for 17 games but having spent another £10m and with Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard back in the team they have one point more than I secured in fewer games. Roy Hodgson said it’s taken four months to know what his team was. Well I was only in charge for four months and it’s my team that’s playing now.”
THE BEST keeper/worst TV pundit of the modern era, Peter Schmeichel believes one of his former United team-mates must succeed Alex Ferguson.
The Great Dane feels the man who replaces the passionate pensioner has to have played for the club and have a strong bond with the fans.
“It would make sense to talk to Sir Alex and say ‘we don’t want you to retire but let’s do a plan here and bring your successor in,’” he said.
“The successor could work with him for a year or even five years. That would bring continuity. I would think Mark Hughes or Roy Keane would be right and Paul Ince is doing well at MK Dons.
“United have reached a point where they are no longer a club but an institution. To have someone coming into that institution with totally different ideas will upset what’s been going on.”
If Schmeichel thinks Fergie will work alongside Paul Ince for five years, he should be in some sort of institution himself.
YOU’RE warned not to believe everything you read in the papers, but if you do you’ll be wondering why you haven’t seen any pictures of Zinedine Zidane in a QPR tracksuit.
Although the date wasn’t April 1st, The People devoted last Sunday’s back page to the story, triumphantly declaring: “Rangers owner Flavio Briatore has promised a major announcement and informed whispers insist he’ll name Zidane as Loftus Road boss.”
Other stories included Pele taking over at Crewe, Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Torquay and Kaka moving to Accrington Stanley.
FANS TEED OFF ON TEESIDE
IN ONE of the most painfully obvious statements of the season, Gareth Southgate has admitted his Middlesbrough masterplan remains a work in progress two years into his reign.
A 2-0 win over Portsmouth ended the relegation fears of long-suffering Boro’ fans on the season’s penultimate day for the second successive season.
But as he thanked his lucky stars, Southgate (right) was already racking his brains why the Teeside team can never improve, no matter how much money is thrown at the problem.
Southgate talked about taking the club to the next level, but failed to add that the next level is commonly known as mid-table mediocrity and they are the little matter of 23 points off Europe.
We bet he wishes he was blessed with quality talents like Viduka, Woodgate or Yakubu. Oh, hang on, he was and decided to sell them.
The Everest-like mountains must be climbed with nothing much apart from talented youngsters and we’re sure Boro’ fans were delighted to here him say: “Lots of those young players are now on long-term contracts, so we have got saleable assets as well should we need them.”
Is chairman Steve Gibson loyal and patient or just plain stupid?
IN ANOTHER sure sign the world has indeed gone mad, Chelsea are reportedly planning an audacious £80 million move for a skinny child once diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency - Lionel Messi.
Roman Abramovich has authorised the blockbusting swoop for Barcelona’s Argentine superstar - who showcased his dazzling skills to English fans during Barca’s Champions League semi-final clashes with Manchester United.
And his bewitching talents could lead to a Chelsea bid that would shatter the world transfer record - the £48million that took Zinedine Zidane from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.
Barca are desperate to keep the darling of the Nou Camp crowd, but a bid that comes close to doubling the world-record bid, and could probably fund the building of a couple of hospitals, may force their hand.
A source close to the proposed deal said: “Roman is convinced Messi could change the whole face of Chelsea and is willing to spend what it takes to get him. He’s always wanted that type of player. Under Jose Mourinho he accepted the football because it was bringing in the trophies but he got bored. Grant wants to change things but explained it takes time and a lot of money to alter the style.”
Buying the world’s most stylish player would certainly be a good start.
RANTING ROY TO WIELD AXE
SADLY the season’s nearly over and we’re soon going to have to find something other than Roy Keane’s weekly rants to keep us amused and fill the magazine.
The disgruntled Sunderland boss launched his umpteenth withering attack on his side after their 2-0 surrender at Bolton, renewed his calls for a massive transfer kitty and vowed to wield the axe in a huge summer clear-out, even saying he’s fortunate not to have been fired himself.
“We’ve lost 22 games this season and people keep telling me we’ve had a good season - but I’m lucky to still be in a job.
“People say to me that we achieved our goal last week, but do we keep living in last week? There will be changes this summer because I’m saying the same thing week in, week out. I’m fed up of saying it and really bored with myself. We need to move certain people on - you want certain characters.”
In a sign of his winning mentality, he said “I don’t think survival is anything to celebrate.
“When I’m on my holidays in the summer I’ll be thinking of those 22 defeats. These are the games I remember - I don’t really remember the victories and I’ve always worked that way. I must be a naturally miserable person and it’s my family who I feel sorry for because I’ve got to go home to them tonight. My players are very lucky they don’t actually live with me - very, very lucky.”
SAME OLD SAME OLD IN EUROPE
IF PROOF were needed that money talks in modern football, it looks like all four of the major leagues in continental Europe will be won by the richest clubs.
Real Madrid retained their Spanish league title with three games to play and in doing so clinched a 31st league crown.
Madrid coach Bernd Schuster was assured of keeping his job, despite amazingly being under pressure, and said: “There are always difficult moments and more so at a club like this. From the start, I believed the team was capable of achieving what it has.”
Bayern Munich bounced back from finishing fourth last year to secure a 21st German title with three games remaining, handing coach Ottmar Hitzfeld - to be replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann - a seventh winners medal.
He said: “It’s been a special season because expectation levels were so high.”
In France, Lyon have a two point lead over Bordeaux with two games left as they chase their seventh successive title.
Inter Milan’s 2-1 derby defeat to a Kaka-inspired AC saw Roma cut their lead at the top to three points with two matches remaining, but the club who have spent more than £1 billion on players since 1990 remain strong favourites - cash is king.
TONY’S STOKE-D WITH SUCCESS
SHOWING that there’s a fine line between being optimistic and unrealistic, Stoke boss Tony Pulis stated: “I have never been relegated in my life and I don’t intend to start next season.”
The Staffordshire club returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence courtesy of a final day goalless draw which saw them earn the second promotion spot behind champions West Brom, while sending Leicester down.
The gulf between Championship and Premiership continues to grow and has been further proven by dire Derby going down in the history books as the Premiership’s worst ever side.
From beneath the brim of his ever-present and annoying baseball cap, Pulis (right) said: “We already know we are going to be one of the favourites to come straight back down, but it’s important we start to build for next season and we know that we have to drastically alter the structure of everything at the club if we are going to have any chance of surviving.
“The priority is staying up. (Chairman) Peter Coates knows that and I’m sure he will continue to give me his backing. He knows the game inside out and understands what we need to do. Obviously, we’re going to have a bit more money to work with so I’m sure we will be sitting down soon and discussing where best to use it.”
About 20 players better than those you’ve got at the moment would be a good start, Tony.
SNARLING psycho Gennaro Gattuso has revealed dreams of playing football in England - shouldn’t the little thug just be dreaming about one day actually playing football?
The Italian World Cup winner, who spent a short spell with Rangers, has endured a tough season as AC Milan struggle to even qualify for Europe.
Gattuso publicly announced his displeasure at his club’s position and said: “I’d like the chance to play in the Premier League. It’s a dream I’ve always had and never hidden. I think I have the right characteristics.”
Club doctors, physios and surgeons - you’ve been warned.
BLACKBURN bench warmer Benni McCarthy confirmed the views of most football fans by saying former team-mate Robbie Savage is technically the worst player he’s ever seen.
While McCarthy admits Ewood Park has been a duller place since the Welsh midfielder departed in January, he says Savage (left) isn’t blessed with any ability.
The South African striker said: “Sav is a fantastic boy and, ever since he left, the dressing room has gone awfully quiet. Even when the chips were down he always made everyone laugh. Technically, he’s the worst player I’ve ever seen. He knows he has no skill at all but he works awfully hard for the team and it made us work even harder.”
henson gavin a laugh
BRYLCREEMED ponce Gavin Henson will miss Wales’ tour of South Africa after having surgery on a damaged ankle.
The Ospreys centre (right) faces three months on the sidelines, leaving him with no chance of facing the Springboks in Bloemfontein and Pretoria next month. But on the bright side, it gives Henson plenty of spare time on the sunbeds to perfect his tan.
The news will be a major blow to coach Warren Gatland, who saw Henson play an instrumental role in their Six Nations triumph.
Gatland is already missing Ospreys scrum-half Mike Phillips with a knee injury, while Llanelli Scarlets’ Dwayne Peel is battling to overcome a shoulder problem.
Ospreys said Henson had keyhole surgery on damaged ankle ligaments, an injury he suffered during the Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat against Saracens last month – and not while attempting to lift an intoxicated Charlotte Church into a taxi.
mike up for catt fight
JONAH Lomu’s door mat, otherwise known as Mike Catt, has declared his intention to continue playing next season, despite being touted for a role in England’s new coaching team under Martin Johnson.
Catt (right) probably still bears the stud marks on his forehead from when All-Black colossus Jonah Lomu literally ran over him in the 1995 World Cup.
The Former England captain has agonised for weeks over whether to hang up his boots and concentrate full-time on coaching.
But the emotions he felt at missing London Irish’s Heineken Cup semi-final defeat at Twickenham by Toulouse with an injury have convinced him to carry on.
“The fire still burns inside me,” said Catt, who was born in South Africa. “I’m not ready to stop playing. In fact, I’m desperate to carry on. The desire is still there.”
Meanwhile, Mike Tindall, his long-time England midfield partner, has been charged with a drink-driving offence. The Gloucester star was arrested on the M4 in Berkshire in March.
WILEY Scot Ian McGeechan is expected to lead Wasps to Premiership glory and to be appointed British Lions head coach in the next two weeks.
But McGeechan, who led the Lions in 1989, 1993 and 1997, refuses to look beyond Wasps’ clash with Premiership leaders Gloucester at the club’s Adams Park, High Wycombe.
“This game is without doubt our biggest challenge of the season so far,” said the Londoners’ boss.
Wasps, who finish their league campaign with away games at Newcastle and Leeds next week, are title favourites with the bookies.
akhtar: SHO ME THE MONEY
THE PANTOMIME surrounding Shoaib Akhtar’s career took another unexpected twist as the trouble-making tantrum-thrower flew to Kolkata to play his part in this year’s highly lucrative IPL.
A tribunal by the Pakistan Cricket Board banned him for five years and upheld this on appeal, but this has now been suspended for a month - awaiting yet another hearing.
The 32-year-old speedster was suspended over repeated breaches of the PCB’s code of conduct, but the board said the ban only applied to matches under their governance.
IPL organisers initially said they would also uphold the ban, but that all changed after Shoaib’s lawyers somehow persuaded the tribunal to meet once more.
Farrukh Aftab, the head of the panel, said if he missed out on the IPL it would be an “additional penalty not prescribed by the disciplinary committee.”
The last straw for a board bored of the childish antics of the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ (below) came when he threw his toys out of the pram after not being handed a central contract.
Since playing the first of his 43-tests in 1997, Shoaib has had his bowling action questioned, faced ball-tampering charges and breached a team curfew.
Before the ban was imposed, he was serving two years probation for attacking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat before the 2007 World Twenty20.
Shoaib was also caught up in a drug scandal after he and Asif tested positive for performance-enhancing steroid nandrolone, before being cleared on appeal.
We’ve definitely not heard the last of this drama queen.
SCOTTISH FRED-ACHE FOR LANCS
ANDREW Flintoff’s chances of winning back his place in the England side to face the Kiwis next week took a blow as he made just eight in Lancashire’s embarrassing Friends Provident Trophy defeat to Scotland.
The all-rounder’s poor form with the bat continued, but he did produce a fine spell of bowling (2-18) to dispel any thoughts his persistent ankle injury could threaten his career.
North Division leaders Lancs, who crushed rock-bottom Scotland away a week earlier, appeared set for another easy win after restricting the visitors to 155-9 - but crashed to 44-7 and, despite Kyle Hogg’s unbeaten 66, ended up two runs short.
Michael Vaughan’s poor form also continued, the England captain making just 22 in his final innings before the Lord’s Test as Yorkshire beat holders Durham.
NEW ZEALAND’S so-called stars finally decided to show up and their preparations for next week’s first test received a boost as they clinched an unexpectedly-comfortable victory in Essex, despite missing injured skipper Daniel Vettori.
The tourists were second favourites, but ground out an encouraging triumph in their penultimate warm-up game.
Although Alastair Cook (57) found form, Essex collapsed from 45-1 to 200 - in pursuit of 293.
James Marshall (128), Michael Mason (seven wickets) and Ian O’Brien (six) made cases for selection, but if they’re all England have to worry about NZ could be in for a thrashing of Max Mosley-esque proportions.
THE THREE RONNIE’S
COCKNEY cue-smith Ronnie O’Sullivan completed another eventful season by winning his third World Championship crown with a comfortable 18-8 success over Ali Carter.
Not even a male streaker, who entered the auditorium and spread-eagled himself under the table, could knock the Rocket out of his stride.
O’Sullivan was never seriously tested in a low-key affair after he demolished seven-times winner Stephen Hendry 17-6 in a sensational semi-final display.
O’Sullivan’s priceless outburst during a press conference at the recent China Open - where he was heard whispering to journalists “suck my prick” and “anyone want to give me a suck” - prompted a swift apology, largely to save his lucrative endorsement deals.
But that won’t stop Rocket Ronnie viewing the 2007-08 campaign with immense satisfaction after becoming only the fourth player to complete snooker’s most coveted treble.
O’Sullivan joined Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams in being UK and world champion and world number one in the same year.
At 32 he’s the oldest player to lift the world title since rank outsider Joe Johnson in 1986 and also topped the prize money list for the fifth season running, earning £638,350 from nine tournaments - including £250,000 for this win.
He also earned half of the maximum break prize of £157,000 - shared with former playing partner Carter who also fired a memorable 147 and pocketed £125,000 for finishing runner-up in his first ranking final.
LEGENDS LIVE
ASIDE from combat sports, there are few occasions when sportsmen genuinely fear for their lives, but this was certainly true when Jeff Thomson hurled a red projectile at you from 22-yards at speeds over 100mph.
Perhaps if Thommo was playing today, he wouldn’t inspire the mortal terror he did in the 70s - due to the widespread use of helmets, improvements in protective gear and restrictions on the number of bouncers allowed - but more than likely the fear factor would be the same. No matter how well armoured you are, to see a ball rising viciously towards your face is still rather unsettling.
Thomson came to the fore in 1974–75 with 33 wickets in the Ashes series and struck up a legendary partnership with fellow speedster Dennis Lillee, ending an injury-plagued career with 200 test scalps.
His lip was equally quick and he said: “I enjoy hitting batsmen more than getting them out. I like to see blood on the pitch.”
His simple slinging action - which he described as “I just roll up and go whang” - was timed at 160 km/h by old-fashioned speed cameras, but Aussie keeper Rod Marsh claimed Thomo bowled upwards of 180.
Pace + aggression = misery.
SPORT ROUND-UP
• OSCAR De La Hoya warmed up for his eagerly anticipated re-match against Floyd Mayweather with a dominant unanimous points victory over Steve Forbes in a non-title bout in his native LA.
The 35-year-old ‘Golden Boy’ (left) outclassed his opponent to improve his record to 39-5 with 30 knockouts.
The re-match to last May’s super-bout, which Mayweather won on a split decision, is pencilled in for September 20 and De La Hoya said: “I’m going to go after him because I know I can beat him.”
Come on Oscar, the world’s waiting for that smug grin to be wiped off that arrogant little gob-shite’s extremely punchable face.
• DELIGHTED Dubliner Peter Lawrie finally became a European Tour winner at the 175th attempt - and made it three Irish wins in a row by snatching the Spanish Open away from home favourite Ignacio Garrido in a play-off at the second extra hole in Seville.
“I’m not a party person, but I will enjoy this,” said Lawrie after following the lead of his room-mate Damien McGrane and Darren Clarke, winners of the two previous Tour events in China.
• AMERICAN Anthony Kim became the youngest winner on the US PGA Tour in more than six years with victory at the Wachovia Championship. The 22-year-old shot a final-round 69 to finish five shots clear of Ben Curtis.
• SPANISH sensation Rafael Nadal (right) claimed his fourth consecutive Barcelona Open title with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 victory over compatriot David Ferrer.
The result came a week after Nadal claimed his first title of the year on his beloved clay at the Monte Carlo Masters and extended Nadal’s staggering record to 117-3 on the surface over four years.
• JAMAICAN jet stream Usain ‘Lightning’ Bolt (left) became the second fastest man over 100m by clocking 9.76 seconds in Kingston.
The 21-year-old world 200m silver medallist produced a time just two hundredths of a second slower than the world record 9.74 set last year by countryman Asafa Powell.
giovanni sets trap
NEW Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni hopes to persuade ‘has-been’ Steve Finnan, ‘never was’ Andy O’Brien and ‘could be but can’t be bothered’ Stephen Ireland to return to the international stage after holding talks with all three.
The Italian (right), along with assistants Marco Tardelli and Liam Brady, met the trio in Manchester and was encouraged by what he heard.
Trapattoni said in fluent pigeon English: “Ze hada very good meetings with all three players.”
Liverpool full-back Finnan, 32, announced his retirement from international football in January, while Bolton’s O’Brien, 28, followed suit in February - but midfielder Ireland’s situation is slightly different.
Ireland has not played for his country since September last year after withdrawing from the squad for the European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic.
He initially claimed his maternal grandmother, and then his paternal grandmother had died. But it later emerged he had lied on both occasions to cover the fact that his girlfriend Jessica had suffered a miscarriage.
Meanwhile 104-year-old bus pass bound pensioner Dean Kiely has announced he will return to the fold.
Halleluyah.
o’brien stumps irish
IRISH cricket continues to make the country proud as the game edges closer to its nadir, despite last year’s one memorable victory – depressing news for its half dozen fans.
The embarrassment continued when Ireland’s one decent cricketer Niall O’Brien played for the opposition and returned to haunt former team-mates with a career-best one-day score as Northamptonshire defeated Ireland by eight wickets in the Friends Provident Trophy.
O’Brien, who played for his country in last year’s World Cup, hit 75 and fellow opener Stephen Peters smashed an unbeaten 103 as the hosts coasted home inside 43 overs.
Ireland had managed to post just a depressing 203-9 off their 50 overs with teenager Paul Stirling’s 70 the only highlight.
O’Brien relished attacking his Irish counterparts almost immediately, reserving special punishment for the bowling of brother Kevin.
Ireland chopped and changed their bowlers but could do little to stop O’Brien and Peters thrashing them to all parts and securing a resonding victory with 7.4 overs to spare, meaning Niall could get stuck into the Guinness half an hour early.
kidney has the beans
FORMER schoolteacher Declan Kidney has moved to the top of the class after the IRFU finally confirmed his widely-predicted appointment as head coach of the Irish rugby team.
Kidney (right), the current Munster head coach, replaces ‘Fast’ Eddie O’Sullivan, who resigned following Ireland’s disastrous World Cup performance and worst ever Six Nations campaign.
But Kidney will not take charge until after Ireland’s forthcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia in June – probably best not to start the new job on the wrong end of an absolute thrashing anyway.
South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach Jake White, former Leicester boss Pat Howard and Wales’s Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock were all linked with the post.
But the IRFU has turned to Kidney, who worked as O’Sullivan’s assistant between 2002 and 2004 and has delivered great success to Munster on the European stage.
But before Kidney even starts to contemplate the Irish job, he has the not insignificant matter of the Heineken Cup final on May 24 between Munster and Toulouse to agonise over.
return of the king
CROUCHING tiger injured Cat Henry Shefflin is on track to return to the Kilkenny set-up after missing the last eight months with a cruciate ligament knee injury.
‘King Henry’ suffered the injury in last year’s All-Ireland final and has not played a competitive game since, but the bad news for the other three counties good enough to win the top prize in hurling is that Shefflin, who was a shit hurler in his teens, is now near full fitness.
The hurling superstar is due to return to club action later in the month after undergoing surgery and extensive rehab.
If that goes well, Shefflin could make his inter-county return against Laois or Offaly in the Leinster Championship.
Shefflin has plenty time to be ready for the September dates as Kilkenny are likely to stroll through Leinster with no hopers Offaly, Dublin and Wexford lying down and taking their regular humiliating beatings again - like a schoolboy being disciplined by a devout Christian Brother.
