Schmidt to help with O’Connor transition

Joe Schmidt will be on hand to ease Matt O’Connor into the Leinster job before he takes over with Ireland.

The Australian is expected to be named as the new national team coach’s successor early next week on a three-year deal having met staff and senior players last week. And manager Guy Easterby explained that, having been introduced to the job by his own predecessor Michael Cheika before taking over in 2010, Schmidt will help O’Connor before he takes over.

“Certainly when Joe came in he would have met with Michael Cheika on a number of occasions to talk about the squad and how it is put together and how the dynamic works,” Easterby explained.