Declan Kidney, who led Ireland to their Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009, is to make a shock return to top-flight coaching as part of major overhaul at Premiership strugglers London Irish. Kidney will be joined by former Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss in a new-look coaching team, which is expected to be unveiled next week as the club attempt to resurrect their fortunes with a significant statement of intent.

It is not yet clear how the appointments affect the position of Nick Kennedy, the club’s director of rugby, who remains contracted to the club. It is understood, however, that as part of the overhaul, Brendan Venter, the former London Irish player-coach and Saracens director of rugby who was hired in 2016 as technical director, will leave the club.

Kidney and Kiss, who left his position with Ulster in January after three years, are expected to be introduced to the London Irish players next week.

Although the club’s fate is all but sealed for this season, with relegation to the Championship expected after just two wins in the Premiership this season, the recruitment of two coaches with such distinguished pedigrees suggests the London Irish board are determined to ensure a swift return to the top flight.