O'Donovan, who brings with him a vast amount of experience and success, worked with Bradley as part of the coaching team for last summer's Ireland tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Before that, O'Donovan was assistant coach to both Munster and Ireland, taking charge of the full Ireland side on their tour to Japan in 2005.

O'Donovan will be working with the forwards throughout this season during which the Ireland 'A' side will play games against England Saxons and Scotland 'A' in February as well as competing in the Churchill Cup in June.

At underage level, Nigel Carolan has been appointed as assistant coach to the Ireland Under-20 side.

Carolan has been and will continue to work with the Connacht Academy and joins the High Performance Manager Allen Clarke, who will be coaching the side with Phil Orr managing the team.

The full Ireland representative management teams are as follows:

Ireland 'A':
Michael Bradley - Coach
Niall O'Donovan - Assistant Coach
Joey Miles - Manager

Ireland Women:
Steven Hennessey - Coach
Rachael Reid - Manager

Ireland Sevens:
Jon Skurr - Coach
Hugh McCaughey - Manager

Ireland Under-20:
Allen Clarke - Coach
Nigel Carolan - Assistant Coach
Phil Orr - Manager

Ireland Under-18 Youth:
Greg Lynch - Coach
Willie Gribben - Manager