Joe Schmidt favours Ireland over Lions’ gig

Joe Schmidt has made it clear he would rather lead Ireland next summer than tour his native New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions.

The national team’s head coach has seen his name linked with an assistant role to Warren Gatland, who was reappointed to the post in September having guided the side to victory over Australia in 2013.

Gatland himself promoted the possibility of the Ireland boss joining his coaching team in the wake of Schmidt’s achievements last Saturday in Chicago, when he masterminded a first Test win against the All Blacks in 111 years.