THESCORE.IE HAS BEEN given confirmation that Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has been contacted by the IRFU about replacing Declan Kidney.
An IRFU spokesperson confirmed that the double Heineken Cup-winning boss has been approached but added that the development does not mean any firm decisions have been made.
“The process is ongoing,” the spokesperson said. “We will be interviewing a number of candidates.” No deadline had been placed on finding a new Irish coach and no further information was forthcoming about other candidates that may be on the shortlist.
Schmidt is expected to meet with the Leinster committee this week to discuss the possibility of leaving to take up the head coach. His future at the province, and the possibility of being allowed meet with the IRFU to discuss coaching positions, will be covered topics.
The New Zealander, who is signed up with Leinster until the end of the 2014 season, declared at the beginning of this month that he had never broken a contract in his life.
However, with the IRFU keen to replace Kidney with a high quality coach, and Schmidt enjoying the respect of most players, pundits and rugby supporters in the country a move to elevate him to the national coaching set-up is a logical step. Speculation about Schmidt being courted for the Ireland role has been rife ever since Kidney’s contract was ended three months earlier than planned, on 4 April.
Speaking to TheScore.ie last week, Leinster scrums coach Greg Feek said: ”The players and management are pretty chuffed and honoured to know that the head coach of Leinster is under consideration and everyone is thinking that he is the man for it. Everyone is proud of it.”
Schmidt arrived at Leinster in the summer of 2010 and has led the province to two European Cups and two RaboDirect Pro12 finals. His side currently lie second in the league, following a 22-16 win over Munster, and are in the semi-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Former Ireland players Keith Wood, Shane Byrne and David Wallace have all proclaimed that Schmidt would be the ideal man to lead Ireland. With Schmidt stating his intentions to return to his native New Zealand in the near future, it appears likely that, if he gets the head coach job, he would sign a deal that would take him up to and including the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
Ireland will play the US Eagles and Canada this summer. The side, at present, will be led by former backs coach Les Kiss.
