IRFU expected to name Schmidt as coach next week

Leinster boss may be confirmed as new boss by Wednesday

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt is expected to be named as new Ireland boss by Wednesday. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt is expected to be named as new Ireland boss by Wednesday. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

The IRFU are expected to confirm Joe Schmidt as the new Ireland coach by Wednesday.

“I think they (the IRFU) are trying to get things done pretty soon,” said Schmidt after Leinster’s 44-16 defeat of Biarritz at the RDS to reach the Amlin Challenge cup final against Stade Francais on May 17th, again, in Dublin.

“Whoever it is going to be, I’m not sure who else they are talking to, but we have had a couple of chats, but there is nothing definitive. I hope one way or the other that there is something definitive by early next week.”

Schmidt said that Jonathan Sexton was replaced more as a precautionary measure on 51 minutes, with Leinster leading 32-9, having damaged his calf. He also stated Seán O'Brien's calf strain is not serious even though he was ruled out of today's game.

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"Jonny just got a dead calf," Schmidt explained. "He could have played on, he certainly wanted to, but there is an increased risk of a tear once you get a bleed in the calf. We got plenty of faith in Ian Madigan, it's not a massive change for us.

"Jamie Heaslip has got quite a bad gash and Kevin McLaughlin has got a badly broken nose. Again, that was an incident that will be visible on the footage."

The citing commissioner is Ray Wilton from Wales.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent