IRELAND COACH JOE Schmidt says the IRFU would be delighted if Paul O’Connell decides to play on beyond the World Cup and possibly further into the future.
Schmidt and the IRFU’s performance director, David Nucifora, also played down claims that O’Connell might leave Ireland to join Toulon.
The Munster second row has been linked with a highly-unlikely move to Toulon in recent days, which would involve an early release from his current deal, although both the Irish province and the Top 14 club have denied there is any truth in the gossip.
IRFU performance director Nucifora, the man responsible for re-contracting Ireland internationals, yesterday said that there have been no discussions with O’Connell over his future.
“Paul is contracted until the end of June 2016 so unless I hear otherwise thats what’s going on,” said Nucifora.
It is not an issue at the moment. Paul has got a contract at the moment and [that's it] until it comes up as a subject for discussion.”
Schmidt admitted that he would be pleased if his current captain opted to play on both internationally and provincially in the future.
35-year-old O’Connell had a superb Six Nations campaign for Ireland this year and appears to be improving with age. The Limerick man may look to the likes of 39-year-old Nathan Hines and 40-year-old Brad Thorn [both currently still playing] as second-row inspiration if he does decide to play on.
Schmidt admits that Ireland will look sway O’Connell’s thinking when that times comes.
“I guess one of the things is that Paul O’Connell will decide that,” said Schmidt. “I don’t know if [many people] have spent a lot of time with the man, but he makes his own decisions.
“We would be delighted. I have an incredible respect for the man. I think he has done a phenomenal job in leading Ireland and that is something which will continue through the World Cup and I guess one of the things is that he will make some decisions in the lead up to that.
“You know those decisions… of course we will try to influence him.”
With Schmidt having spent some time with his family in Australia following Ireland’s Six Nations success in March, Nucifora confirmed that the IRFU would be discussing a new contract with the head coach over the coming weeks.
Schmidt’s current contract expires in 2016.
