Joe Schmidt has been confirmed as the new Ireland head coach, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced today.

Schmidt succeeds Declan Kidney whose reign ended on April 2 after presiding over a dismal fifth-place finish in the RBS 6 Nations.

The New Zealander steps up from his position as Leinster head coach after beating competition from Les Kiss and Ewen McKenzie for the Ireland post.

More detail will be announced at a press conference this afternoon, but it is expected that his contract will take him to the World Cup in 2015 and possibly the Six Nations of 2016.

[comment]You can read what our colleagues in the Irish Examiner Sports Department have to say about the appointment now in their ’Watercooler’ Live Blog.[/comment]

Only last year he had signed a new deal at Leinster securing his services until 2014, but the IRFU has decided to promote him to the top job in Irish rugby.

A highly impressive CV compiled over three years at the reigning European champions is topped by successive Heineken Cup crowns.

This season they are on target for a RaboDirect PRO12 and Amlin Challenge Cup double.

Kiss, Ireland’s attack coach under Kidney, will lead the summer tour to the United States and Canada, so the autumn internationals against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand will be Schmidt’s first matches in charge.

Kiss' ongoing involvement in the Ireland set-up is now in doubt, despite his presence on the tour to North America, while forwards coach Gert Smal and defensive mastermind Anthony Foley are unlikely to be retained.

Since Kidney was informed that the IRFU would not renew his contract, which was due to expire next month, ending his four and half year stewardship, Schmidt emerged as the front runner.

Jake White, Conor O’Shea and Mark McCall ruled themselves out of the running to replace Kidney, who steered Ireland to the 2009 Grand Slam but saw the team’s fortunes subsequently nosedive.

One of the key areas for Schmidt to address will be the national side’s chronic inconsistency that has seen their form fluctuate wildly.

He will continue the injury-enforced rebuilding program begun by Kidney last autumn, while convincing Brian O’Driscoll to play for another season may also be on the agenda.

Bookmaker Paddy Power is offering odds of 14/1 on Schmidt marking his first ever Six Nations campaign with a Grand Slam.