Joe Schmidt’s successor ‘already in the Irish system’

With provisions in place should Joe Schmidt be selected to lead the Lions tour to New Zealand next summer, IRFU performance director David Nucifora explained that his ultimate successor as Ireland coach is already in the Irish system.

Schmidt’s current contract with the IRFU runs until next June, but the Kiwi has already admitted that he will inform the union after the tour to South Africa if he intends to remain in charge.

The union would like to see Schmidt stay on until the 2019 World Cup, but family circumstances may dictate that he returns home to his native New Zealand.