IRFU aiming to tie Schmidt down to new deal

THE IRFU are hoping Joe Schmidt will sign a contract extension before the end of the year, but are confident their ambitious plans for the national team can progress even if he decides to move on. The union have rolled out their five-year strategic plan which targets semi-final places, or better, at the next two World Cups, two or more Six Nations titles before 2023 and a consistent ranking in the top three in the world. Since taking over from Declan Kidney in 2013, Schmidt has delivered three Six Nations championships (including this year’s Grand Slam) as well as a first win over New Zealand and series win in Australia and it has made the Kiwi the most highly sought after coach in world rugby. While IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said he is not aware of any approaches being made so far, he is aware that Ireland’s head coach is in high demand and confirmed that he and elite performance director David Nucifora will be seeking to extend Schmidt’s contract after the November internationals. ‘Joe has said he will have a better idea of where he is at after the November internationals so I would imagine by the end of the year we would be in a position

to know what his plans are to get all of our plans in place,’ said Browne. ‘David is having conversations with Joe until he makes up his mind and we will be thinking about it once the November internationals are under the belt.’ However, at the announcement of the strategic plan, Browne and Nucifora both stressed they are confident of Ireland achieving their goals even if Schmidt decides to leave after next year’s World Cup. ‘A lot of the success is down to Joe, he’s driven a lot of really good things in the Irish game and not just with the national team. Part of his strength is that he’s built a team that can carry those things on. Any good programme has to be sustainable and regardless of whether Joe chooses to stay or go, he’d be the first one to tell you that he’s confident that it is sustainable,’ said Nucifora. ‘The reality is the plan can’t be built around one person, it has to be built around systems, processes and structures.’ While the IRFU believe they have the structures to reach their goals with a new man in charge, keeping Schmidt would be the preferred option, with an announcement before the end of the year allowing clarity of focus ahead of the Six Nations and World Cup next year. Schmidt is due to name his squad for the November games against Italy, Argentina, New Zealand and the US tomorrow.