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Joe Schmidt confirms announcement on Ireland future "early next week"

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt says he will make an announcement about his future next week. The ...



Joe Schmidt confirms announcem...
Videos

Joe Schmidt confirms announcement on Ireland future "early next week"

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt says he will make an announcement about his future next week.

The New Zealand native has a contract with the IRFU which runs until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and he has been tipped as one of the candidates to succeed Steve Hansen as the next All Blacks head coach.

Schmidt named his Ireland team which will face USA a week on from a historic home win over the All Blacks but also touched on his future in charge of Ireland.

"It's a decision that will probably not be finalised until Sunday really," he said.

Head Coach Joe Schmidt ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

"But it's a decision that has been a long time coming and the family I have probably committed most to is this family that I live with in Carton House as much as it is the family I have at home.

"So we've put our heads together and tried to reconcile how we can best cater for both."

And when asked when he is likely reveal what his future will be, the former Leinster head coach replied, "I think certainly early next week. I'd like to be able to take a deep breathe on Sunday.   

"I know I can't continue to just go backwards and forwards because to be honest, I've beaten myself up enough about this decision. I'm probably going to be the most pleased of anyone when it finally is made."