Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt extends contract until 2017
Wednesday 22 July 2015 16:18, UK
Ireland have been handed a big boost ahead of the Rugby World Cup with the news head coach Joe Schmidt has signed a contract extension until June 2017.
The New Zealander has been a revelation since taking over in 2013, leading the Irish to back-to-back Six Nations Championship titles and a clean sweep during the 2014 Guinness Series which included victories over South Africa and Australia.
Schmidt, who has led Ireland to 14 wins from 18 Tests in charge, praised the Irish Rugby Football Union for the structure it has developed in Irish rugby and feels it is one in which he and the players are allowed to thrive.
"I appreciate the support I have had from the IRFU and look forward to the next two challenging years with the national team," Schmidt said.
"It has been great to be involved in such a player-driven environment, along with such a skilled and positive staff to support them in their quest to be as competitive as possible."
Ireland were ranked as low as eighth in world rugby in October 2013 but under Schmidt’s guidance they have surged up to third and IRFU performance director David Nucifora believes the 49-year-old deserves huge credit for that achievement.
"We believe that Joe is one of the leading coaches in world rugby so we are delighted that he has extended his contract and will continue to work in Irish Rugby until the end of the 2016/17 season," Nucifora said.
"Outside of his national team duties, Joe has contributed to the development of indigenous coaches across the provincial and underage structures as well as having a positive input into the Ireland U20s and Women's squads."
Schmidt previously served as Leinster head coach from 2010 to 2013 after joining from Clermont Auvergne and led the Irish province to Heineken Cup wins in 2011 and 2012 and won the Amlin Challenge Cup and Pro 12 title in 2013.
