Joe Schmidt to leave Ireland after 2019 World Cup
Joe Schmidt will leave his role as Ireland head coach after next year’s World Cup in Japan.
The New Zealander will be replaced by Ireland’s current defence coach Andy Farrell.
Schmidt replaced Declan Kidney as Ireland coach in 2013 and won back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015.
A quarter-final exit at the hands of Argentina in that year’s World Cup was the greatest disappointment of Schmidt’s tenure but the team have responded with vigour – winning Ireland’s third Grand Slam this year and beating New Zealand for the first time on home soil to finish 2018 as the world’s second ranked team.
Farrell joined the Ireland set-up in April 2016 as defence coach, having departed the same role with England, where he worked under current Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster.
It had been widely expected that Schmidt would leave Ireland after next year’s World Cup.
Working in Europe since he joined Clermont as attack coach in 2007, the former school principal joined Leinster in 2010 and led the province to back-to-back Heineken Cups in 2011-12.
He is keen to return to his native New Zealand, where he has been tipped to take over from Steve Hansen as All Blacks head coach.
Speaking to the IRFU, he said: “I have decided to finish coaching and will prioritise family commitments after the RWC in 2019.
“I feel that Irish rugby is in good hands. The management and players have been incredible to work with and the tremendous support we have had, particularly at home in the Aviva, but where ever we have travelled has been uplifting.
“Thank you to the IRFU for their support and patience and thanks also to so many people who have adopted my family and me, making us feel part of the community here in Ireland.
“There are some inspiring challenges over the next 11 months so there’s plenty of motivation for me to continue working hard, alongside the other management staff, so that the team can be as competitive as possible.”
David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director paid tribute to Schmidt’s impact on the landscape of Irish rugby and said, “Joe’s contribution to Irish rugby is broader than just the success achieved with the national team.
“He has had a hugely positive influence on the entire professional system with both his rugby intellect and his eagerness to invest in and develop both players and coaches throughout the country.
“In conversations with Joe you got a clear sense that this was a very tough decision for him knowing how much he enjoys working with this group of coaches and players but it is a decision that Joe, Kelly and the kids have made as a family and that is to be respected.”
