Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika may well be the next Australian coach, after accepting the role in principle following Ewen McKenzie's resignation last week.
Cheika confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that he had been offered the job but terms have yet to be hammered out with the ARU. Cheika is currently coaching the New South Wales Waratahs, where he has one year to go on his contract. The deal needs their approval to proceed.
Cheika spent five years at Leinster between 2005 and 2010, taking over after Declan Kidney's unhappy reign, eventually leading Leinster to the Heineken Cup in 2009.
Last season, he became the first coach in history to win the major club competitions in both hemispheres, after guiding the Waratahs to the Super 14 title.
Sandwiched in between his Leinster and Waratahs triumphs was a very mediocre spell at Stade Francais, where he was sacked in 2012.
