He’s got pedigree, a decent CV and has played for Ireland (at rugby league).
Joe Schmidt has already committed himself to the ‘young men’ of Irish rugby for the next two years. As if his contract did not confirm that, he repeated his vows on Friday’s Late Late Show.
The planning for the 2016 Six Nations has already begun and Schmidt is on the look-out for a new defence coach.
Ireland need to replace Les Kiss, who departed after the country’s World Cup quarter final exit. The former rugby league player, from Australia, is Ulster’s new director of rugby.
Schmidt will have a few men in mind to replace Kiss and, according to Wales Online, he has been made aware of Shaun Edwards’ availability.
The Englishman, who represented Ireland in league on one occasion [scoring two tries], has a week to run on his current contract as Welsh defence coach.
The 49-year-old made his name, as a player, with Wigan and by coaching the Welsh defence, from 2008 until present.
Wales conceded only two tries when they won the 2008 Six Nations and went 400 minutes without conceding a try when they won the 2013 title. They had conceded three tries in the opening 42 minutes of a home defeat to Ireland but their tryline was not breached thereafter.
Despite Wales’ last eight elimination from the World Cup, they only conceded three tries all tournament [five Tests]. Ireland conceded six tries in five games – a good return – but shipped four in the 43-20 humbling by Argentina.
