Ireland
IRFU opens talks with Joe Schmidt to extend stay
ESPN Staff
April 16, 2015
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt (r) chats with Johnny Sexton before the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt (r) chats with Johnny Sexton before the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland© Stu Forster/Getty Images

The Irish Rugby Football Union has begun talks with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt about a contract extension.

New Zealander Schmidt, 49, has a deal that will keep him in charge until the end of the next season, but the IRFU is keen to extend that through the 2019 World Cup.

"We're in discussions with Joe," the IRFU chief executive Philip Browne told the Irish Independent. "He's just off the back of the Six Nations and he's been away and I'm sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months."

Schmidt guided Leinster to two Heineken Cups, two Pro12 titles and the European Challenge Cup before taking over the national side, with which he has won back-to-back Six Nations titles.

© ESPN Staff

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