Schmidt agrees Leinster deal

LEINSTER last night confirmed that Josef Schmidt, assistant coach at Clermont Auvergne, will become the province’s head coach next season after signing a three-year deal.

Schmidt will take over from Michael Cheika, who had previously announced that he would not renew his contract after five successful years with Leinster.

“It’s an enormous opportunity,” said Schmidt, who takes over a professional team for the first time. “It’s a new challenge for me and I hope that I can bring something to the team.”

New Zealander Schmidt, aged 44, has been backs coach in Clermont in combination with countryman, Vern Cotter, and during his spell with the French outfit the club has reached three successive French Championship finals.

The club has never won the Bouclier De Brennus – the top trophy in French rugby – but have been second on 10 occasions.

He previously coached the Auckland Blues in the Super 14 and Bay of Plenty in the Ranfurly Shield.

Schmidt spent a year in Ireland as a player in the early 1990s when he assisted Mullingar Rugby Club.

A Leinster statement said the province will not be making any further comment until they announce the rest of their new coaching team in the coming months. There had been reports that outgoing Connacht coach Michael Bradley could join any new Leinster set-up but that seems less likely.

Clermont Auvergne are currently fourth in France’s Top 14 and are also primed to emerge from a tough Heineken Cup pool.

Schmidt could face an interesting situation in the knockout stages if his current side end up facing the reigning champions Leinster.