Ireland would still flourish if Schmidt makes exit, say chiefs

THE IRFU do not believe the future success of the Irish team will hinge solely upon whether influential head coach Joe Schmidt stays on beyond next year’s World Cup.

And chief executive Philip Browne and performance director David Nucifora believe Ireland’s international success will continue regardless of whether the head coach remains in his position after the tournament.

The union were able to convince Schmidt to remain when it looked like he might return to New Zealand in 2017, and the lure of home is thought to be the main consideration for the former Leinster supremo, who has lived in Europe since 2007 and in Ireland since 2010.

The duo were speaking at the launch of the union’s strategic plan which outlined the goal of reaching the semi-final in Japan and in France in 2023, while also winning two Six Nations titles during the next five seasons.

The IRFU expect Schmidt to inform them of his decision over his future after the November internationals.

His contract expires after the World Cup concludes in a just over a year’s time.

Asked if the IRFU would make Schmidt an offer he couldn’t refuse, Browne said: “I thought we did that the last time!

“He’s done a fantastic job and it’s not just about Joe, it’s about the people he has gathered around him — both in terms of team management and their interaction with the high performance department and their interaction with the provinces, and the quality of coaching.

“It is a collective and at times people don’t understand that and Joe is an important part.”