No dice.

The IRFU were recently approached by a broadcaster regarding a behind-the-scenes documentary similar to the ‘All or Nothing’ Amazon show that featured Steve Hansen’s All Blacks in a six-part series.

According to Murray Kinsella in The42.ie, the talks never with the production company “never moved beyond an informal stage”, with the IRFU “expressing its reservations about providing all-areas access to Schmidt’s camp.”

Ireland have taken part in one-off documentary’s in the past under Schmidt, but this was through their title sponsor Vodafone. They aired episodes that followed Ireland’s tour of South Africa in 2016, as well as their famous win over the All Blacks in Chicago.

Behind-the-scenes documentary-style shows on sports teams have become really popular as of late, with Manchester City’s recent Amazon ‘All or Nothing’ series earning critical claim. The British and Irish Lions have being doing behind-the-scenes docs way back as far as 1997 with ‘Living with Lions’, which has become a cult classic.

A look at the inner-workings of Ireland and their success would no doubt gather massive interest, especially with a figure as interesting as Schmidt. But a programme like this could interfere with preparations, something that Schmidt simply cannot afford at such an important time in Irish Rugby.