Top job.

Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt is being lined up for brand new role within World Rugby, according to a report by the Sunday Times.

The high-profile position would see him come on board in a specially created role of ‘Director of Rugby and High Performance’.

According to the report, Schmidt would oversee “the management of match officials, interacting with coaches on law implementation and helping to drive high performance in emerging rugby nations.”

A shortlist for the role has been drawn up in recent weeks with the New Zealander at the top of it. Schmidt has previously worked for World Rugby on a consultancy basis and has been most recently helping out at old club Clermont Auvergne in France.

The appointment is expected to be made by mid-September with the role said to be born as a result of some controversial refereeing decisions at the World Cup in Japan last year and the continued issues with the ‘high tackle framework.’

Schmidt left his role as Ireland head coach after the World Cup following a hugely successful six-year spell with the men in green where he won multiple Six Nations titles and masterminded the country’s first-ever win over the All Blacks.

He has previously stated he would be taking time out from coaching but a return to rugby in some capacity was always on the cards and this role might suit much better than another high-profile coaching gig.

Schmidt was said to have infamously turned down an approach from the All Blacks last year and it’s a move that will likely go down well in Ireland with most supporters not wanting to face their old coach who brought them so many fond memories.