REA D IN G S TA R T OF WEAK

If Joe decides to leave after Eagles Irish rugby will be in a worse place

THERE will be a certain symmetry in the timing if Black Monday does occur – and Joe Schmidt decides it will be time to say sayonara after the World Cup in Japan.

Although he didn’t take charge of the squad for the North America tour in the summer of 2013 – his first game was officially the win over Samoa that November – Schmidt was present in Houston to watch his new charges eke out a narrow win over the USA.

And so began Ireland’s Schmidt revolution – one that has taken them to previously unscaled heights.

After Saturday’s clash with the Eagles, the 53-year-old will sit down with his family and decide whether to go home to New Zealand or to extend an ultra-successful time in charge here beyond a sixth year.

After making 14 changes from the starting line-up against the All Blacks to tomorrow’s game.

Of tomorrow’s side only Dave Kilcoyne, named at loosehead, was in that starting line-up five years ago. But it was a team that also included the emerging Peter O’mahony, Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson.

In the years that followed, Schmidt set about strengthening in every department.

And on the back of a Grand Slam, the Australia series win and the home victory over the All Blacks, the house that Joe has robust than ever.

Ireland have come a long way from that 15-12 defeat of the States in the Compass Stadium to their second in the world ranking.

And the Kiwi recalls how different things were ahead of that first match in charge.

“It was off an injury-ridden Six Nations which was really tough for Declan (Kidney) and Les (Kiss),” Schmidt said.

“I’ve been at a World Cup where you get a succession of injuries and it does erode your opportunity to just be as consistent and as built is more competitive as you want to be.

“But for some of the performances, some of the trophies, it blows you away really in some ways that this group have probably continued to grow. “

He points to the lines of communication that are open to the provincial coaches as a key component in Ireland’s success.

“The only three systems I’ve coached in are the New Zealand, French and Irish ones and I do think we’re similar to the New Zealand system,” he said.

“I think the alignment has never been so strong.

“It has a dual benefit – they’re managing players, bringing them though.

“Leo (Cullen) has named a whole bunch of Academy kids in his squad for this weekend. I’m as excited as Leo is to see some of those guys play.

“I do think it’s in a really good place and it’s fickle because things can change – but it has allowed us to put ourselves in a strong position in some ways.”

It remains to be seen if

Ireland will lose their most successful manager to the All Blacks in nine month’s time.

There’s talk now that New Zealand’s head coach Steve Hansen wants to stay on. He’ll announce his intentions one way or the other in the coming weeks.

For now at least, Schmidt is doing everything in his power to secure an 18th win in 19 matches with the fringe men in green who need to take this opportunity to stay in the Six Nations and World Cup conversation.

“Last year, in this particular bracket, we played Fiji and won by three points,” he said.

“They’re the games we intentionally put players out there, wanting to put them under pressure, wanting to see how they responded.

“They had to scramble their way through. Hopefully, we’re not scrambling. Hopefully, we can put together a performance that allows us to get the result.”

Some of the performances, some of the trophies, it blows you away this group has continued to grow