Mike Ruddock led Wales to the Grand Slam in 2005

Former Wales coach Mike Ruddock has joined Jake White in ruling himself out of the running to succeed Eddie O'Sullivan as Ireland coach.

Ruddock, who also coached Leinster, has been linked to the Ireland job but the Worcester coach says he is not interested currently.

"I have another two years on my Worcester contract and I would like to see that job through," said Ruddock.

Reports have also suggested that Pat Howard does not want the Ireland job.

Former Leicester coach Howard is leaving his position as high-performance manager with the Australian Rugby Union at the end of this month but it is understood that he is not keen to uproot his family again to the Northern Hemisphere.

On Thursday, Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan said that Howard would be an "excellent" choice to succeed O'Sullivan.

Ruddock's apparent decision to rule himself out of contention further reduces the IRFU's options.

"I am thoroughly enjoying myself in the Guinness Premiership," said Ruddock.

O'Sullivan, who led Ireland to three Triple Crowns in his six-and-a-half years as coach, resigned on Wednesday after their worst Six Nations campaign followed a dismal World Cup.

606: DEBATE Who should replace O'Sullivan?

Ruddock led Wales to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005 and also coached Irish province Leinster between 1997-2000.

He took over at Worcester last year having quit as Wales boss in 2006.

And despite ruling himself out of the running, Ruddock says he may be tempted in the future.

"I would be flattered to be linked with the post, that's for sure," he told the South Wales Argus newspaper.

"I have got a huge regard for Irish rugby. At some stage in the future it would be great to get back to Ireland. I love Ireland and love working with the people there."

White, out of rugby since leading the Springboks to their World Cup victory last November, was also touted for the Ireland job but his agent Craig Livingstone said it "would definitely not be a consideration for Jake".

"I would be very surprised if it was an option for him," he added. "We haven't been approached by anyone in Ireland.

"He said that the only job he would be interested in is the England post."

I've made no secret of the fact that the England job has always appealed to me Jake White

Munster coach Declan Kidney and London Irish coach Brian Smith have also been linked with the job of replacing O'Sullivan.

White, meanwhile, has been linked with a role in the England set-up ever since Livingstone revealed he had been in touch with Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew last November.

The RFU opted to maintain the coaching structure that took them to last year's World Cup final for the Six Nations, but Andrew is reviewing it again after a mixed campaign, despite England posting their best finish since 2003.

White has made no bones about his interest in a role with England.

"I've made no secret of the fact that the job has always appealed to me," said White, who led the Springboks to World Cup success last autumn.

"But England have their own review process under way and must decide what's right for them."