A FORMER Ireland second row, Jerry Holland, has resigned as coach to the Munster senior side.

Holland has also decided not to apply for the full time position of director of coaching with Munster. All four provinces will have full time directors of coaching next season in keeping with the IRFU policy. The application date for those positions has now closed.

Holland has been Munster coach for three seasons and had considerable success with the province. He coached Muaster to the Grand Slam the season before last and this season Munster won the championship yet again, beating Connacht, Leinster and Ulster. Munster also won all their home matches in the European Cup over the last two seasons, beating Swansea last season and Milan and Wasps this season.

Confirming his decision to step aside yesterday, Holland, a building society manager in Cork, said, "I have been coach to Munster for three seasons and have thoroughly enjoyed it. But the set up at provincial level is now changing considerably. I am not interested in seeking a full time position in rugby and I never intended to nor have I applied for any of the positions at provincial level.

"Quite apart from the changes in the provincial structures, my work and family commitments are such that after three years as Munster coach it was time to stand aside irrespective of the new structure being put in place."

He was on the Ireland team that toured South Africa in 1981 and played in both tests. He also played for Ireland against Wales in 1986 and his collection of caps would have been greater but for injury.

I understand that the IRFU has a very impressive list of candidates from which to choose the new provincial directors, including several applicants from outside Ireland.