Carbery in from start
Schmidt took over from Declan Kidney in 2013.
The former Leinster boss brought the national team to three Six Nations titles (including a Grand Slam), secured a first win in South Africa, a Test series triumph in Australia and a historic first victory over New Zealand in Chicago in 2016 — backing that up by a second in last weekend’s seminal 16-9 win in Lansdowne Road.
Those achievements have seen Ireland rise to second in the world rankings and rated as one of the favourites to claim next year’s World Cup in Japan.
Understandably, the IRFU are keen for Schmidt to stay but say they will fully understand if he decides to move on, while the Kiwi has achieved iconic status among Ireland supporters, who are desperate for him to remain.
Although there has been a general expectation up to now that Schmidt will not renew his contract, with defence coach Andy Farrell widely tipped to take over, yesterday’s press conference made it clear the 53-year-old Kiwi is struggling to make that call and that his family, happily settled in Dublin, will have a huge say in his decision.
Professionally, the Ireland boss is the most in-demand head coach but, while returning to his homeland with the goal of coaching the All Blacks in mind, there is arguably more to be achieved by remaining with Ireland.
The age profile of the squad, the steady flow of talent coming through and how far they have already come makes the Ireland success story highly sustainable within Schmidt’s proven systems.
There are plenty of compelling reasons to stay but his emotion yesterday could equally be interpreted as sign of coming to the realisation he would be moving on.
Either way, Schmidt confirmed an announcement would be made early next week and said he would be relieved to get to that point.
‘I can’t continue to go backwards and forwards. I’ve beaten myself up enough over this decision. I’m probably going to be the most pleased of anyone when it is finally made.’
While Schmidt’s future dominated yesterday’s proceedings, his team to face the US emphasised how much progress has been made in deepening the squad ahead of next year’s trip to Japan.
It is a side that retains just one player, outside centre Garry Ringrose, from the starting XV that performed so superbly against the All Blacks last weekend.
Joey Carbery returns at out-half having started the month there in the 54-7 romp against Italy. He will be partnered by Ulster’s John Cooney who will be making his first start in his fourth outing for his country.
Rhys Ruddock will captain from the blindside flank, as he did in Chicago, while Tadhg Beirne gets another chance to impress in the second row behind in-form Connacht prop Finlay Bealham, who appears to have leapfrogged Munster’s John Ryan in the tighthead pecking order.
The US also picked their side yesterday and, while there are starts for Corkman John Quill in the back row and Connemara prop Paul Mullen, the majority of attention centred on giant No 12 Paul Lasike, the former NFL player now with Harlequins in the English Premiership.
Schmidt singled out Lasike’s contest with the 6ft 4in Ulster man Stuart McCloskey as pivotal in tomorrow’s game.
‘It is a huge challenge for Stu. Lasike is one of the few men in world rugby that is actually bigger than him in his face-to-face positional challenge,’ said Schmidt.
The US are on a nine-Test winning streak in 2018, including a famous win over Scotland last June, but head coach Gary Gold was realistic about the size of the task facing them tomorrow evening.
‘Ireland are still buzzing from their historic victory over the All Blacks.
‘They will be relentless and our guys have spent the last week ensuring they have the level of intensity that will put us in the best position to meet the fight,’ said Gold.
‘I can’t keep going back and forth over this decision’