Small cog.

Joe Schmidt has all but confirmed he will leave his role as head coach of Ireland when his contract expires following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Schmidt has enjoyed incredible success as Ireland boss ever since taking over from Declan Kidney back in 2013. In that time he has won three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam this year, as well as masterminding two victories over the All Blacks.

But the Kiwi insists he is just a “small cog in the machine” and is confident Ireland will continue to find success even if he leaves. With all indications suggesting he will do just that.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have the IRFU with the patience they have,” he said.

“I’ve given them an indication. I just need to talk to people tomorrow and it’ll be made public. It might be frustrating for you guys but it’s really wrecking my head.

“[The IRFU] have said, ‘don’t be rash, if you change your mind we’d love to continue that conversation or if you change your mind, and we don’t need to have a conversation, we can continue the way we are, that’s great’.

“They’ve set up different scenarios just in case we can sort something out without too much drama.

“I’m a small cog in a machine. I’m so confident we have such a great group… the last month has been a huge collective effort.

“If you don’t celebrate small windows where you achieve something you’re not human.”