Murphy says Schmidt legacy will help new coach

Leinster skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy does not believe the loss of Joe Schmidt to the Ireland head coaching job will bring an end to the current era of success at the province.

The former fly-half was fulsome in his praise of the departing New Zealander who will become national team coach at the end of the season, but believes Schmidt’s legacy will make the new coach’s job all the easier even if he is a “hard act to follow”.

The reigning Heineken Cup champions, who booked their place in the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup on Saturday, look set to turn to Leicester Tigers’ coach Matt O’Connor next season having met with the Australian last week. And Murphy believes that although Jonny Sexton, Isa Nacewa and, perhaps, Brian O’Driscoll are following him out the exit door – the show can go on at the RDS.