Joe Schmidt Extension
It's the contract that had been coming for quite a while, but Ireland rugby coach Joe Schmidt has signed a contract extension with the IRFU. Ireland had been keen to sign Schmidt up to the Irish cause past the World Cup after a successful Six Nations title defence and the IRFU will formally announce the extension today according to the Irish Independent.
It was widely seen in 2007 that the IRFU made a mistake in signing Eddie O'Sullivan to a long term contract before the World Cup only to sack him just under a year later. Given Schmidt's incredible record, it's no doubt that he's been given an extension - and the IRFU must be confident that the same situation will not happen again.
Schmidt will now take control of the team until the end of the Lions tour, which is when the New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen's contract expires
Schmidt has an 80% winning record as Ireland boss, and it's understandable that the IRFU have moved to commit the New Zealander to a new contract.
In Joe we trust.
