DUBLIN (AFP) - Munster coach Declan Kidney was named Wednesday as Ireland's new head coach on a contract running up to and including the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

The 48-year-old, who is currently preparing Munster for their European Cup final date with Toulouse at the end of the month, will take charge after Ireland's upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand.

He succeeds Eddie O'Sullivan, whose seven-year stint in the job ended in the wake of this year's disappointing Six Nations campaign, which followed Ireland's first round exit from last year's World Cup in France.