Joe Schmidt to decide on future this summer

Joe Schmidt will decide this summer whether he will lead Ireland into the 2019 World Cup or quit as head coach in June 2017.

Fri, 18 Mar, 2016 - 00:00

Simon Lewis

Ireland’s double Six Nations-winning coach, 50, will be out of contract in 15 months but yesterday promised to reach a decision on his future at the helm of Irish rugby when his squad returns from a three-Test tour to South Africa.

Speaking after announcing the Ireland team for tomorrow’s final 2016 RBS 6 Nations fixture at home to Scotland, Schmidt was asked whether he would be staying in charge until the next World Cup.

The New Zealand-born former Leinster coach, who became an Irish citizen last September, said there were considerations other than rugby to factor into the matter, chiefly the health of his youngest child, 12-year-old Luke, who has lived with severe epilepsy since the age of four but he owed it to his players to let them know his plans as soon as possible as they begin another World Cup cycle.

“It is something that I’ve committed to making a decision once we get back from Africa,” Schmidt said.

“It’s really important that there is a clear pathway for players to know that there’s some continuity there or if that continuity is going to be with someone else that there’s a span of enough time that they can get the game up and running as they see it best being played.

“I am conscious of my responsibility there, there’s some factors outside of rugby that tend to dictate issues for me (and) we’ll be a little bit further down the track with some of those decisions as well.”

Schmidt insisted he was still excited about Irish rugby’s future despite a disappointing Six Nations campaign in which the injury-hit defending champions will fight for a third-placed finish with Scotland, coached by his close friend Vern Cotter, at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

“You couldn’t get a better group of young men to work with, not so young men who are still spritely in how they move about and the mix has changed a bit this year.

“We’re going to go out at the weekend and play with about half as many caps as we did the last time we played Scotland. Those things change but at the same time you can still get pretty excited about what the future might hold.

“You just want to get a good finish now and I know Vern will feel the same way - they control their own destiny with that third placing. They have a very good chance of finishing third and that would be a huge step forward and it would be representative of the progress that they’ve made. That was evident through the World Cup but it’s been consolidated in this championship.”

Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton, who has been playing for Schmidt since he first became Leinster boss after leaving French side Clermont Auvergne in 2010, said he hoped his mentor would remain in charge through to the 2019 World Cup.

“All we know is that he’s here for next year. We had big goals this year. We were trying to go three (Six Nations titles) in a row. We’ve still got big goals, trying to create history. We’re got three chances to do that in South Africa and two against New Zealand (in November).

“Then, we have another crack at the Six Nations next year. There is still plenty of rugby to be played with Joe in charge. I hope he’s here for at least the next World Cup. That’s what everyone in the squad would hope. We feel that we’re building something towards that. Fingers crossed, he will be here.

“There are circumstances that he probably has to consider. I wouldn’t like to speak for him. I’m sure he’ll answer it himself.”