Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has signed a contract extension to remain head coach until June 2017.
Since taking charge in 2013 Schmidt has won back to back Six Nations Championship titles and has guided the Irish to victories against South Africa and Australia.
Ireland are currently ranked third in the world moving up five places since the New Zealander took over two years ago.
The Irish have an impressive 78% win ratio with 14 wins and four losses from the 18 test series played to date.
In the two years that Schmidt has been head coach of the Ireland team 56 players have worn the famous green shirt with 14 players representing their country for the first time.
IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora has spoken of his delight of extending Schmidt’s stay as Ireland’s head coach:
“We believe that Joe is one of the leading coaches in world rugby so we are delighted that he has extended his contract and will continue to work in Irish Rugby until the end of the 201617 season.”
Schmidt himself is looking forward to the next two years with Ireland:
“I appreciate the support I have had from the IRFU and look forward to the next two challenging years with the national team.”
Ireland kick start their Rugby World Cup tomorrow at the Millennium Stadium against Canada.
