THE IRFU HAS confirmed that Joe Schmidt will be the head coach to lead Ireland towards the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
The double Heineken Cup-winning boss will face the media at 4pm this afternoon at the Aviva Stadium.
Former Ireland and Leinster hooker Shane Byrne told TheScore.ie, that Schmidt is the right man for the job. “From a Leinster point of view, I’m disappointed that he is leaving but, speaking as an Irish rugby supporter, I’m delighted,” Byrne said.
Schmidt will not want to follow on with the old practices of the IRFU, their committee meetings and board approvals of tactics. He’ll bring some fresh ideas to the job. Ireland have lots of very talented players and Schmidt will bring that something different to the coaching set-up. The old coaching structure had just passed its sell-by-date.
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“Schmidt, as you can see with players like Brian O’Driscoll, is constantly challenging them personally to become better players and to keep pushing themselves.”
Speaking to TheScore.ie this week, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll was effusive in his praise of the man who has coached him at Leinster for the past three seasons. The decision to appoint Schmidt may see the centre delay plans to retire from the sport after this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
“There’s no secret about how much I admire Joe as a coach,” O’Driscoll said. “He has been fantastic for us these last few years and really rejuvenated me as a player. I learned an awful lot under his tutelage. We’ll wait and see, nationally, what the decision is and makes calls over the next couple of months.”
Former Munster and Ireland flanker David Wallace said, “He’s a very likeable guy and gets results on the pitch. Talking to the Leinster players, he has a great rapport with them and has an excellent coaching style.
“He’s no walkover, though, even though he’s a nice guy off the pitch. This is a big step up and there will be an increased media spotlight on everything he does.
“I was amazed by the development of Leinster’s passing game after he took over. When he came on-board he said he wanted to make them the best passing team in Europe and after two-thirds of the season it was evident that his style was starting to take hold.
“He uses the breakdown as an attacking platform and you can see they are well drilled there as they have lots of plays in and around the ruck, with scrum-halves and back-rows running off them.”
“His teams play an enjoyable style but a winning style,” Wallace added.
Good luck to Joe. He has a great record with Leinster The injury problems during the last Six Nations saw a lot of young players make their first appearance in the tournament. Hopefully we will have a rejuvenated team next year.
Hope he can bring Ireland on to the next level. He seems to be an excellent coach. However he did take time to get going with Leinster so I hope people will give him time with Ireland because it will take time. Ireland is a team in transition at the moment. A good time for a new coach to take over but we shouldn’t suddenly be expecting miracles.
I think I might bookmark this thread to see how many of the same people who are welcoming him today with open arms will be calling for his head in a year or two if Ireland haven’t done as well as expected.
Your delusional. Ireland cant even beat italy. With some key players certain to hang up the boots soon we will need more than a good coach to take ireland to the next stage
Then you have the small matter of defeating the all blacks before getting your hands on the WC
Not really. Ireland are in the top tier because we have the academy of young players set up to control transitions. The players are there, he has to pick the right ones, game plan and I wouldn’t write off a WC just yet…
Completely agree Null, i just think this talk of claiming our maiden wc when we’ve just got a bew coach, have been in poor form for some and still haven’t registered our first win over the ABs is ridiculously premature
Apart from kidney both those players will play a part in irelands future.
Earls is one player who will benefit massively from joe and toner had forced himself into the Leinster team over the past few months and is playing really well. 3 top secondrows we have O’connell, Ryan and McCarthy after that toner is part of the bunch next in line.
What’s the hell are ya on about? I think someone like earls could fit in greatly with a Schmidt team and you do realise he picked Toner often enough for Leinster so if anything it promotes his chances with Ireland!
I cautiously welcome the appointment, but would ad that there’s a huge difference between joining a club side coming into their prime and a national side. While not taking from Joes achievements a problem position can no longer be bought in, for example.
I just hope the IRFU will implement the foundations they have reneged on thus far and give him the tools he needs. Irish fans must try and not expect too much from the new guy certainly at first.
Great coach, huge loss for Leinster but unfortunately he will probably be run out of the job in a few years time like most of the Irish rugby coaches have been, Ashton, Gatland, O’Sullivan and Kidney!
A great loss for Leinster, a great win for Ireland. I vaguely remember a similar thing having been said about Kidney leaving Munster for Ireland a few years back. Definitely should bookmark this page and watch the comments in a few years time. I wish him all the best in his new job.
Great choice. Thanks for the memories Deccie! People saying Kidney just inherited O’Sullivan’s hard work and got the praise. Joe inherited one hell of a Leinster team as well. Hope he does some great things and isn’t vilified in time
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Yay! All hail the mighty Joe!
All the best to him. Top coach. Exactly what Ireland needs.
Well done Joe; hopefully the legions of IRFU blazers will leave him to do the job his way.
That’ll be down to Phillip browne to tell them to back off.
No suit shirt and ties Just polar shirts and track suits !!!
At the press conference he wore a suit and shirt without a Tie !!!! Looks better ! *wink*
Ye haw
This is good news. We’ve got a serious Kiwi coach with a great mentality in charge of Ireland. I wish him all the best.
Great news for Ireland , a shame for Leinster to lose the great man. Best of luck to him.
His the only man for the job :-)
He’s*
Barely any thumbs down! Gonna miss him in Leinster but can’t wait to see what he can do for Ireland!
Ah class… Roll on six nations next yr..
Bring on the All Blacks in the Autumn – revenge for the humiliation in Hamilton is a MUST!!!!!!!
It will be great to watch a fresh set up in the Irish camp and a current top coach get to work on this Irish squad.
Best of luck to him.
Well done IRFU, it was what everyone wanted.
Good luck to Joe. He has a great record with Leinster The injury problems during the last Six Nations saw a lot of young players make their first appearance in the tournament. Hopefully we will have a rejuvenated team next year.
Hope he can bring Ireland on to the next level. He seems to be an excellent coach. However he did take time to get going with Leinster so I hope people will give him time with Ireland because it will take time. Ireland is a team in transition at the moment. A good time for a new coach to take over but we shouldn’t suddenly be expecting miracles.
I think I might bookmark this thread to see how many of the same people who are welcoming him today with open arms will be calling for his head in a year or two if Ireland haven’t done as well as expected.
Congratulations !!! You brought blue magic to Leinster. Hope you can bring green magic to the Emerald Isle !!!! Good luck !
I feel a World Cup in Ireland’s future….woohoo!! Go Joe!
Your delusional. Ireland cant even beat italy. With some key players certain to hang up the boots soon we will need more than a good coach to take ireland to the next stage
Then you have the small matter of defeating the all blacks before getting your hands on the WC
Not really. Ireland are in the top tier because we have the academy of young players set up to control transitions. The players are there, he has to pick the right ones, game plan and I wouldn’t write off a WC just yet…
Your too funny.
“Ireland are in the top tier”
ah did we not just suffer one of our worst six nations in recent memory??
The all blacks are lightyears ahead. Then the saffas and oz. Then the likes of wales england argies etc.
There is no one ive seen who is anywhere near the talent of drico or poc and when they are gone they will leave massive holes.
Lets see how joe goes and aim to get back among the elite of europe before we start proclaiming ourselves contenders for the wc!!
Elite? ELITE!!!! CRUSHING THE WORKING CLASSES TO MAKE.. Oh, wait, sorry. Wrong thread.
A first win over New Zealand in any way, shape or form would be nice to be honest…
Completely agree Null, i just think this talk of claiming our maiden wc when we’ve just got a bew coach, have been in poor form for some and still haven’t registered our first win over the ABs is ridiculously premature
Any word on contract length? Until just after the RWC?
Finally yesss!!! Bye bye toner earls and kidney cause u will never be involved with anything irish again wooooooooo
What a typical shi thead you are…………..
a new coach announced and all you can think about is abuse……
Apart from kidney both those players will play a part in irelands future.
Earls is one player who will benefit massively from joe and toner had forced himself into the Leinster team over the past few months and is playing really well. 3 top secondrows we have O’connell, Ryan and McCarthy after that toner is part of the bunch next in line.
What’s the hell are ya on about? I think someone like earls could fit in greatly with a Schmidt team and you do realise he picked Toner often enough for Leinster so if anything it promotes his chances with Ireland!
Failte romhat seamus
Seamus? Shouldn’t it be Seosamh?
Seosamh it is.
This news has made my day. Yessss! Go Joe. :D
Yea jack remind me to post on some rugby tickets for your 10th Birthday !!
Pity there were no Irish coaches up to the job.
Schmidt is a Kildare name
Yeah, but they up from Laois originally.
I cautiously welcome the appointment, but would ad that there’s a huge difference between joining a club side coming into their prime and a national side. While not taking from Joes achievements a problem position can no longer be bought in, for example.
I just hope the IRFU will implement the foundations they have reneged on thus far and give him the tools he needs. Irish fans must try and not expect too much from the new guy certainly at first.
Great coach, huge loss for Leinster but unfortunately he will probably be run out of the job in a few years time like most of the Irish rugby coaches have been, Ashton, Gatland, O’Sullivan and Kidney!
Delighted with news but the players have to perform too
Brilliant news
A great loss for Leinster, a great win for Ireland. I vaguely remember a similar thing having been said about Kidney leaving Munster for Ireland a few years back. Definitely should bookmark this page and watch the comments in a few years time. I wish him all the best in his new job.
Good choice! Samoa first up isit in the autumn?
Great choice. Thanks for the memories Deccie! People saying Kidney just inherited O’Sullivan’s hard work and got the praise. Joe inherited one hell of a Leinster team as well. Hope he does some great things and isn’t vilified in time
Come on Joe..bring us back to our winning ways
Hearing Matt O’Connor at Leicester is taking over next season? Reading a few insides on it
Jack kavanagh, you’ve been told before to go back to your soccer feeds. You’re outta ur depth here kid. Come back when you grow up.