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Joe Schmidt Signs Contract Extension

Wednesday, 22 July 2015 16:36

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt has signed a contract with the IRFU, extending his deal until the summer of 2017.

The IRFU have confirmed that Joe Schmidt has signed a contract extension until 2017. 

The Union had been in negotiations with the coach following back-to-back Six Nations titles for the first time since 1949. 

The 49-year-old arrived in Ireland as the Leinster coach in the 2010/11 season and had instant success with the club. The Irish province lifted the Heineken Cup in 2011 and 2012 as well as the Amlin Challenge Cup, Rabo Direct Pro12 and British & Irish Cup titles in 2013. Following his achievements with the side, the New Zealand native then took over the Ireland Head Coach position in 2013, replacing Declan Kidney who had previously been in charge.

The Union's Performance Director, David Nucifora has commented that the Kiwi is "one of the leading coaches in world rugby" and has also "contributed to the development of indigenous coaches across the provincial and underage structures as well as having a positive input into the Ireland Under-20s and Women's squads."

Next up for Joe Schmidt and the Irish team are the GUINNESS Summer Series games against Scotland and Wales in August.

 

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