O’Sullivan resigned as Ireland coach after a dismal season that included a pitiful group exit from the World Cup and fourth-place finish in the RBS 6 Nations.

For Reddan - Ireland’s first choice scrum-half since the autumn - it is imperative the IRFU act decisively.

“The important thing is to get on with it. It would be great to get someone who is successful and who can take us forward,” said the Wasps scrum-half.

“That’s what happened seven years ago with Eddie – he took us forward and now we need the same again.

“These are exciting times for Ireland. There’s a chance for the IRFU to go out and get the best in the world, which they should do and will do.

“We need a man who will really inspire and excite the players that we have and push Ireland to new levels.

“We definitely have the players to achieve great things.”

Former Leicester coach and Wallaby centre Pat Howard has been installed as the bookies’ favourite to succeed O’Sullivan.

And Reddan’s interest in Howard has been piqued by a discussion with Ireland team-mate Geordan Murphy, who played under and alongside Howard at Welford Road.

“Pat Howard sounds like an excellent candidate. He almost took Leicester to the treble last year,” he said.

“He nearly pulled it off but we beat Leicester in the Heineken Cup final. To be in that position anyway was a major achievement.

“He has a good track record and you only need look at what he’s done at Leicester to see how talented he is.

“Geordan told me he’s a good coach, a good guy and great man manager with lots of fantastic ideas.”

Ireland need look only to Grand Slam champions Wales for evidence of the galvanising effect a new coaching team can have on a side in the doldrums.

New head coach Warren Gatland and his assistant Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley have been credited with their astonishing revival and Reddan hopes fresh faces with a similar impact with Ireland.

“All the time in soccer you can see what a change of coach can achieve and Wales are proof of that – just look how much they’ve improved under Gatland,” he said.

“The double boost for Wales was that they brought in new faces who are also brilliant coaches, and that inspired them during this Six Nations.

“Firstly we need the change that would freshen things up, secondly is we need someone who will take Ireland forward long-term.”