World Cup semi-finals ‘minimum’ target with or without Joe

Irish Rugby’s aspirations of reaching the World Cup semi-finals not just next year but also in 2023 are achievable whether or not Joe Schmidt stays at the helm of the national team beyond 2019, IRFU bosses have insisted.

The IRFU’s “Strategic Plan 2018-2023 Irish Rugby: Building success, together”, issued today, has a World Cup finish of a semi-final or better at the 2019 and 2023 tournaments as a headline performance target for the men’s team.