Isa Nacewa will have to get his thinking cap back on. Legend has it that Fijian suggested Joe Schmidt should replace Michael Cheika as Leinster head coach in 2010. Schmidt famously lost his first three games in charge of the Province, but Nacewa's recommendation has paid rich dividends for Irish rugby, after the delivery of two Heineken Cups, one European Challenge Cup, One Pro 12 title, and two 6 Nations Championships. As fortune would have it Nacewa is coming out of retirement to play for Leinster again next season and could arrive back in Ireland with a list of candidates to replace Matt O'Connor. Declan Kidney was the last Irish man to coach Leinster. That didn't work out too well, but is it once again time for the Province to look a little closer to home?
Leo Cullen
Cullen has been placed in temporary charge until a permanent appointment is made, but could Leinster follow in the footsteps of Munster in naming a much respected former captain as their new head coach? Like Anthony Foley, Cullen captained his Province to their first Heineken Cup victory. He immediately took up the role of Leinster forwards coach following his retirement, but has this selection process come too early? Foley had a lot more coaching experience before Munster took the plunge. He had been out of the playing arena for five years. He had taken charge of the Munster A team, worked with the national set up and the Wolfhounds and helped out Declan Kidney when Gert Small missed the 2012 Six Nations.
Girvan Dempsey
Already many people's favourite for the job. The 39 year old former full back made nearly 200 appearances for Leinster. An Elite Player Development Officer with the Province since 2010, Dempsey was appointed Academy Manager in November 2012. He helped Leinster A win back to back British and Irish Cups in 2013 and 2014. Whoever takes over from Matt O'Connor is going to have to plan without their senior players for large parts of the season. The World Cup and the Six Nations will keep them on International duty. So Dempsey's knowledge of Leinster's emerging talent could prove vital.
Bernard Jackman
An Irish success story in France. The former Leinster hooker has proven he can mix it with the rich boys in the Top 14. The 39 year old worked his way up from defence to be appointed Grenoble head coach in 2012. This season he has helped Grenoble beat Racing Metro, Stade Francais and record a famous win away to Toulouse.
Conor O'Shea
The RTE pundit is constantly linked with vacant posts, but could this be the one that lures him back from England. The former Leinster full back and RFU National Academy Director has been in charge of Harlequins since 2010. He is contracted to the Twickenham based club until 2016, but Midi Olympique have reported he is in the running to replace Jacques Brunel when he leaves his post with Italy after the World Cup.
Eddie O'Sullivan
Has Eddie been forgiven for the 2007 World Cup yet? The Youghal man was once touted as a future British and Irish Lions coach, but couldn't even get an interview when Connacht were looking to replace Eric Elwood in 2012. He took charge of Biarritz following their relegation from the French Top 14 this time last year. They finished 7th in the Pro D2 this season, winning 17 games and losing 13.
Mike Ruddock
OK, Mike is Welsh. He led Wales to the Grand Slam in 2005, but can surely have a Irish claim on some sort of residency rule. He was actually in charge of the Province during the early days of professionalism. His son Rhys currently plays for Leinster and Ireland. He will have worked with a lot of the players during his 4 year term in charge of the Irish Under 20s team. And his stock is pretty high at the moment having just guided Lansdowne to their second AIL title in three years.
