Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will struggle to replace Les Kiss, according to Rory Best, who labelled Ulster's new rugby director as "one of the best defence coaches in the world".
“I think it will be tough: if you’re trying to replace like-for-like in terms of Les. For me, he’s one of the best defence coaches in the world,” said Best. “I’d have no problem standing over that.
“It’s going to be very tough, but with Joe there, he managed to make it work when John Plumtree left. Joe brought in Simon Easterby and he’s brought different strengths, and I don’t think the forward play has suffered any for that.
“Joe knows what he wants, knows what he likes and knows how he wants Ireland to go forward. And he’ll bring in someone accordingly.”
Ireland must plough quickly through a state of flux after their World Cup quarter-final exit and seek a new captain after Paul O'Connell's Test retirement.
Peter O'Mahony will be among the front-runners for the long-term job, but Munster boss Anthony Foley confirmed the combative flanker was unlikely to feature in the Six Nations.
O’Mahony is pencilled in for a March return after knee surgery, but that timescale could yet prove optimistic.
South Africa-born backrower CJ Stander has now qualified for Ireland on residency, and could yet be drafted into the Six Nations squad.
Foley has chosen Stander to captain Munster's Champions Cup matches, and backed the 25-year-old to sustain his fine form with the province.
“CJ’s been announced as captain for the European Cup group, and that’s where we see his influence at the moment. We’ve got great influence throughout the group, we’ve got a lot of leaders.
“We can’t rely on one person. It’s always been a group approach, that’s always been our strength.
Girlfriend
“The group must be the most important thing. He’s moved over lock-stock. His girlfriend’s over here, he’s settled his life in Limerick. He’s really enjoying it, buying in and he’s got a great mentality.
“It should be March in terms of Peter. It’s a fairly lengthy recovery. Big injuries are part of the game at the moment unfortunately.
“He will come back. It’s a long road but hopefully we’ll see him before the end of the season.”
