Scotland forwards coach Mike Brewer has become the first man to confirm he is applying to for the head coach's job.
The hunt for Scotland's next head coach has begun after the SRU advertised the position.
After being severely criticised after Italy's poor performance in the Six Nations, Nick Mallett has not only been re-appointed Head Coach of the Azzurri until the next World Cup but will have full control over appointing a new coaching staff.
The Six Nations Council today announced the schedule of matches for the 2010 Six Nations Championship, which will kick-off in Dublin on Saturday, 6 February, when Ireland meet Italy.
The Ireland class of 2009 became only the second from the Emerald Isle to claim a European clean sweep of rugby on Saturday, beating Wales 17-15 in Cardiff for the first Irish Grand Slam since 1948, courtesy of Ronan O'Gara's late drop goal.
England followed up last weekend's earth-shattering improvement with a bitty 26-12 victory over Scotland as they reclaimed the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham on Saturday.
France banished the ghost of Twickenham past at the first attempt as they demolished Italy 50-8 at Stadio Flaminio on Saturday.
It was supposed to be Le Crunch. It ended up as Le Crash. France, victors over Grand Slam champions Wales a fortnight ago, fell 34-10 to England at Twickenham on Sunday, blown away by the hosts' enthusiasm and clinical finishing.
Ireland's dream of ending 61 years of Grand Slam hurt remains on the cards as they ground out a scrappy 22-15 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Wales set up a championship showdown with Ireland in Cardiff next week, beating Italy narrowly 20-15 in Rome and leaving themselves with a bigger job to do next week than ought to have been necessary.
Ireland are now the only team left who could land a Six Nations Grand Slam, after they beat England 14-13 in a miserable encounter at Croke Park on Saturday.
Italy will surely finish bottom of this year's Six Nations after a 26-6 defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday, and questions must surely be asked at FIR headquarters over the continued tenure of Nick Mallett as Head Coach.
Wales' run of eight consecutive Six Nations victories came to an end in Paris on Friday, as France finally stitched all the component parts of their game together and produced a terrific second half of rugby to win 21-16.
Ireland followed up last week's win over France with a 38-9 victory over Italy at the Stadio Flaminio to keep the pressure on Wales at the top of the Six Nations standings.
Wales held off a much improved England side to record their second consecutive Six Nations victory of the season, running out eventual 23-15 winners at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.