Philip Browne confirms Joe Schmidt talks

The future of Ireland coach Joe Schmidt could be resolved ahead of the World Cup with IRFU chief executive Philip Browne confirming that talks about a new deal are underway.

The New Zealander’s contract with the union expires after next year’s Six Nations and with two championship titles at Test level to add to his pair of Heineken Cups at Leinster, Schmidt will not be short of suitors.

Browne acknowledged yesterday that discussions had begun, however, he would not expand on how good a hand the IRFU had to play.

“We’re in discussions with Joe, he’s just off the back of the Six Nations and he’s been away on holidays and I’m sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months,” said Browne. “It will be what it will be, I’d like to have more to say about it and when we do we’ll say it.”

The reality for the union is that Schmidt could decide not to extend his stay in Ireland, which will come to six years by the end of his current deal, in the expectation that he could attract interest from the British and Irish Lions to lead the tour to his homeland or that the All Blacks position could be available after the World Cup.

Added to this, France are searching for a successor to Philippe Saint-Andre and the big money clubs of Europe may also express their interest behind the scenes which would leave Schmidt with his choice of jobs come June, 2016.

Clearly, Schmidt would be a top contender for the Lions tour in 2017 and any new deal from union could include a year’s sabbatical to take the job, similar to what the Welsh Rugby Union did to allow Warren Gatland to head up the 2013 tour.