David Nucifora: Joe’s his own man, money doesn’t motivate him

The IRFU has promised to do everything in its power to extend Joe Schmidt’s tenure as Ireland head coach beyond next year’s World Cup.

Former Leinster boss Schmidt has brought unprecedented success to the national team since succeeding Declan Kidney in 2013, delivering back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015, a first Test victory on South African soil and making history by beating world champions New Zealand, a first win over the All Blacks.

This season’s Six Nations Grand Slam was a first such success since Kidney broke a 61-year drought in 2009 and the final victory of the championship campaign, over England at Twickenham set a national team record for a 12th consecutive Test win, lifting Ireland to number two in the world, its highest ranking since the system’s introduction by World Rugby in 2003.