Rugby Australia close in on Joe Schmidt after Eddie Jones disaster

Soon-to-depart IRFU director of rugby, David Nucifora is also set for a return to his native country in an advisory role and likely have a say in the Wallabies position despite remaining on as Ireland’s high-performance director until next year.

JOE SHOW: Joe Schmidt.

FORMER Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is firming as a frontrunner after Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh revealed March as the deadline for naming a new Wallabies coach.

Waugh said RA would ramp up the chase for a successor to Eddie Jones following Friday’s confirmation that journeyman Peter Horne had been appointed as director of high performance.