London Irish have appointed Tom Coventry as their head coach from the start of next season, ruling out the prospect of Declan Kidney taking the reins.

Former Ireland coach Kidney was reported to be a frontrunner for the vacant hotseat at Madejski Stadium following the announcement of Brian Smith’s departure yesterday.

However, Coventry will leave his position as assistant coach at New Zealand side Chiefs to take up the role.

"It is a great coup for London Irish to secure a coach of Tom’s calibre to lead our rugby programme over the coming seasons,” said Bob Casey, London Irish’s rugby development director.

“He comes from the best rugby environment in the world where he has had much success and worked with two of New Zealand’s leading coaches in Wayne Smith and Dave Rennie,” added the former Ireland international. 

London Irish can announce that Tom Coventry will take the position of Head Coach for the start of the 2015/16 season http://t.co/HjotPpnjQr

— London Irish (@LiRFC) January 14, 2015