The IRFU have confirmed they are in talks to tie Ireland coach Joe Schmidt to the role beyond this year’s rugby World Cup, after which his current deal is set to expire.

Schmidt has been a revelation since he took over from Declan Kidney, delivering back-to-back Six nations titles and steering Ireland to third in the IRB world rankings.

However Schmidt’s success is likely to mean he is a wanted man after the World Cup, with the All Blacks in particular interesting in poaching the former-Leinster boss.

Second Captains

Speaking at the announcement of Irish Sports Council funding for the IRFU, FAI and GAA at Croke Park on Wednesday, the IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said he hoped discussions over Schmidt’s future would be resolved over the next few months.

Browne said: “”We’re in discussions with Joe.

“He’s just off the back of the Six Nations and he’s been away on holidays and I’m sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months.

“I’d like to have more to say about it and when we do, we’ll say it.”