Coach-in-waiting Schmidt braced for unique challenge

IT is one of those delicious sporting ironies that Leinster’s reign as European champions could be brought to a shuddering end by the man who will lead them into battle next season.

Joe Schmidt, assistant coach at Clermont-Auvergne, will take over the reigns this summer after his appointment to succeed Michael Cheika.

It is a prospect that has the Kiwi is already relishing, having signed a three-year deal with the Irish province, though before that switchover happens, however, there is the small matter of a Heineken Cup quarter-final to get out of the way.