IRFU in contract negotiations with Joe Schmidt

The IRFU have confirmed they are in negotiations with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt to extend his contract beyond the existing deal.

Schmidt’s current contract with Ireland runs until Spring 2016 when it is due to end after the Six Nations championship.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne confirmed to the Irish Examiner that discussions had begun.

“We’re in discussions with Joe, he’s just off the back of the Six Nations and he’s been away on holidays” said Browne. “I’m sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months.

“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.”

Schmidt’s impressive results with Ireland and Leinster before that mean he is not likely to be short of offers and the IRFU would like to have a deal confirmed well in advance of this Autumn’s World Cup.