Jake White’s Departure From Montpellier Could Lead To Joe Schmidt’s Ireland Exit

Montpellier head coach Jake White is reportedly set to leave the club at the end of this season, with Vern Cotter his likely replacement.

The former Springbok boss, who last term led his side to Challenge Cup success, has been in charge at Altrad Stadium since December 2014.

But according to L’Equiqe it appears his tenure will come to an end after 2016/17 as their president, Mohed Altrad, will look to replace him with Scotland head coach Cotter as he is said to have not forgiven White for putting himself forward for the England job in 2015.

In August 2016, the Scottish Rugby Union confirmed that Cotter will leave in June 2017, with Gregor Townsend taking over at Murrayfield.

Cotter’s move to Montpellier could spell an end to Joe Schmidt’s Ireland tenure.

Cotter and Schmidt are according to Stuff.co.nz the leading contenders for the Chiefs job which is set to be vacated next year by Dave Rennie who will be replacing Gregor Townsend at Glasgow. Should Cotter take the Montpellier job, that leave’s Schmidt as the clear frontrunner and favourite for the Super Rugby role.

It’s common knowledge that Schmidt’s son is currently not well and he may be forced to move home as a result. A job with the Chiefs would not only facilitate that, but also potentially act as a springboard for the All Blacks job, which Schmidt would find very hard to refuse.

Schmidt’s current contract with the IRFU ends in 2017, just as the Chiefs job will become vacant, making it all too possible for the Kiwi to return home.

*Update: Vern Cotter will officially take over at Montpellier at the start of the 2017/18 season.