The Scottish Rugby Union was caught badly off guard last night as it emerged from Ireland that Matt Williams will be named today as the new coach of the national team.

While Murrayfield officials could offer neither confirmation nor denial of his appointment, Leinster released the news that he would be leaving them to cross the Irish Sea.

The Irish province yesterday issued a statement which, while technically inaccurate in stating that he would become the SRU's ''director of rugby'', made it clear that the Australian would be joining Scotland.

The SRU had been known to be narrowing down their list of candidates to take over from Ian McGeechan as head coach after it was announced at the turn of the year that he would succeed Jim Telfer as director of rugby on Telfer's retirement following the World Cup.

McGeechan and Telfer - in his second job as Scotland's forwards coach - are both in Durban working with the squad ahead of their two-Test series against the Springboks, and it is understood that they will be joined in the South African city today by Williams and Bill Watson, the SRU's chief executive, when the appointment, thought to be a four-year deal, will be made official.

The statement issued by Mick Dawson, Leinster's chief executive, left absolutely no room for doubt, though.

''Leinster are disappointed to lose the services of Matt Williams, yet we do understand the attraction of moving to an international position,'' he said. ''Matt has done well here in Leinster and we have had a good working relationship.''

The 42-year-old had been with them since 1999, when he joined as an assistant coach to the Welshman, Mike Ruddock, having spent three years in charge of New South Wales, his home province. He took over as head coach on Ruddock's departure the following season and guided them to last year's inaugural Celtic League title, as well as Ireland's Inter-Provincial title.

What offers cause for concern in Scotland, though, is his failure to make a major impact in Europe, given the quality of the players at his disposal.

While a less gifted but exceptionally well-drilled Munster side have flown the Irish flag by twice reaching the Heineken European Cup final in the past three years - they narrowly missed out on a third when losing by just a single score in Toulouse in this season's semi-final - Leinster have under-achieved.

They were favourites to win the trophy this season after being handed a route through the knockout stages which would not require them to leave Dublin, but they blew it dismally with a strangely-muted performance against Perpignan, the main criticism of which was that they seemed to be under-motivated.

Relations between Williams and the Irish media have since soured amid reports of dressing-room strife, notably involving the way Nathan Spooner, Williams' fellow Australian, was released to be replaced by Felipe Contepomi, the Argentina stand-off.

According to Irish sources, the timing of the announcement has been precipitated by Williams handing in his notice to Leinster on Monday. Whatever the reason, it could hardly be more awkward for McGeechan and Telfer, as it offers a huge distraction for the squad just four days before a major Test match.

After being offered a lucrative contract by English club Saracens last year, Williams is understood to have agreed a new three-year deal with Leinster which required both sides to provide six months' notice.

Since he will be taking over from McGeechan in November, it meant he had to tell the province now and they understandably decided they must move quickly to find a suitably qualified successor. Their announcement ends substantial speculation, though.

Laurie Mains, the former All Blacks coach, was believed to be a leading contender for the post immediately after quitting the Otago Highlanders, while the SRU admitted to having spoken to Alan Solomons, Ulster's South African coach, at the same time as Williams.

Since then Leicester Rutledge, the former All Black who is Italy's assistant coach, was linked with the job, while McGeechan even indicated he may be prepared to stay on until the end of the season if necessary to let the right candidate become available.

McGeechan and Telfer have placed a great deal of faith in personal relationships, and Williams impressed the latter when he brought New South Wales to Scotland during the 1997-98 season and also in 1998, when Scotland toured Australia, where they claimed what was very much a surprise win over Williams' New South Wales Waratahs.

The new coach is also believed to be a close friend of Marty Hulme, the fitness and conditioning coach, who, along with Mick Byrne, the kicking and catching specialist, is another of the Aussies in the Scotland backroom team.