Schmidt to call it a day

Schmidt is to step down as coach after next year’s World Cup and be replaced by their defence guru Andy Farrell the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Monday. The 53-year-old New Zealander says he will take time out to prioritise his family. This may lay to rest the rumours linking him with taking over world champions New Zealand with Steve Hansen set to announce in December he too is quitting after the World Cup. –