Incoming chief Schmidt out to hurt Leinster

INCOMING Leinster coach Josef Schmidt is relishing his move to Ireland but admits his immediate focus is to knock his new employers out of the Heineken Cup.

Schmidt’s current day job is as backs coach with Clermont Auvergne who face Michael Cheika’s side in an European quarter-final on Friday, April 9.

And the former Auckland Blues and Waikato Chiefs boss insists his allegiances are very much with the French outfit for their trip to Ireland.

He told Dublin’s 98FM: “I think I’m going to cop it for 10 weeks! If Murphy’s Law was ever going to play a hand, it was going to play a hand in an Irish circumstance.

“I’ll be on the opposing side but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m sure there is some parochialism in the home crowd, at least I hope there is for the years to come, but maybe not so much for 10 weeks.”

Schmidt will wait until after the game before beginning to lay the groundwork for the change of management with Leinster.

“I’d obviously like to get in and have a look around and meet some of the players, have a look at the facilities. I guess it’s just trying to do that diplomatically now. I’ll probably keep a bit of distance for a while, until the game is over and done with.”

Schmidt has welcomed the news that forwards coach Jono Gibbes will be staying with the European champions for another two years.

The full interview will be broadcast tomorrow on 98FM’S – Now That’s What I Call Sport from 9am.