4:32pm, 26 January 2020

Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has been linked to a move to Premiership side Bath.

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Midi Olympique are linking the much sought after coach with the West Country club, where 38-year-old Stuart Hooper currently resides as Director of Rugby.

Should Schmidt take up a role with Bath, it would see him link up with former Leinster backs coach Girvan Dempsey.

Schmidt, who left the Ireland job following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, had indicated that he was going to step away from the game, at least for a period of time.

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WATCH: Rory Best and Joe Schmidt’s reflect on their side loss to the All Blacks in the RWC quarter finals.

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“I know I’m not going to do (coaching) in the near future,” said the 54-year-old, following the Rugby World Cup. “I made a commitment that I’m going to absolutely stick to, through to at least June or July of next year.

“It hasn’t been a job, it has been a way of life. It has been seven days a week and I think I can honestly say, in six and a half years I’ve not taken one full day off.”

Rated major contenders a year out from the tournament, Ireland crashed out of the quarter-finals with a 46-14 thrashing by the All Blacks, continuing their record of never winning a knockout game at the global showpiece.

Schmidt, who has been succeeded by assistant coach Andy Farrell, said he had been “blown away” by offers of coaching positions but would not entertain any until the middle of next year.

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In October Schmidt said he would enjoy being a spectator for a change and expected Farrell and the Irish team to continue to do a “super job”.

“I’m really looking forward to the Six Nations,” he added.

“Instead of looking through the glass, I might just have one in my hand and I’m looking forward to that.”

– Additional reporting, AAP