The Kiwi is likely to stay with Ireland but events back home may dictate events.
This month’s tour to South Africa could be the final time Joe Schmidt leads Ireland into a summer series.
Schmidt is contracted with the IRFU until June 2017. The union are keen to offer him a two-and-a-half-year extension, taking him past the 2019 World Cup but we are months from getting a resolution.
The New Zealander is of a mind to remain with a team he has led to Six Nations championships in 2014 and 2015. That is reliant, one feels, on Schmidt getting the clearance to be part of the 2017 British & Irish Lions coaching staff.
Schmidt was asked about his future at Vodafone Ireland’s four-year sponsorship announcement with the IRFU. He responded:
“I am definitely [closer to a decision]. I just have to report in with my mum at home after the tour and have a final chat with her.Â
“I don’t know who is tipping off my kids but they’re all bullying me at the moment.
“Look, it is one of those things that hasn’t taken up a lot of my time as I’ve been fully focused on South Africa. You don’t get too many opportunities to do it. We’ve never won there but we’re incredibly motivated to be as competitive [as possible] there.”
The Lions management team will decide on the next coach after this summer’s tours. The IRFU has previously stated that Schmidt would be allowed to take up the head coach role but that it would likely be dependent on the Kiwi committing his future to Ireland until 2019.
Were Schmidt to decide upon a return home, the likes of Les Kiss, Pat Lam and Saracens’ Mark McCall would all be options to replace the former Leinster man.
