Joe Schmidt Responds To Rumours He’ll Be Part Of Lions Set-Up Next Summer
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Warren Gatland said he was open to the prospect of Joe Schmidt joining the Lions set-up this summer.
Schmidt was one of the frontrunners to lead the Lions this summer, but ruled himself out along with England coach Eddie Jones. The Kiwi instead chose to sign a new deal with Ireland that takes him up until the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In order to take the Lions post the coach must take a year out from their current job as Gatland has now done, with Rob Howley taking over from his Welsh duties. This is something Schmidt was not willing to do, ruling himself out of contention.
Following Ireland’s famous victory over the All Blacks, Schmidt and Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell have now been linked with potential roles in New Zealand next summer as the Lions look for a series win over the world champions.
Schmidt however has now come out and effectively ruled himself out of the running for any potential role.
A big part of the motivation for me not being involved in the Lions was going to the USA and Japan and working with this next cadre of players.
It remains to be seen if Farrell will once again take up a position with the Lions following the success of 2013, but Schmidt it seems, will not.
