In 2007 the IRFU made what has since been considered a bit of a mistake when they gave Eddie O'Sullivan a new contract in the buildup to the 2007 World Cup. As we now know that tournament didn't exactly go as well as Ireland had expected and O'Sullivan's reputation took a very significant hit.
You may say that the IRFU would be unlikely to to go down the route of a pre-World Cup contract extension again but, given the job that Joe Schmidt has been doing, the prevailing wisdom is that you tie him down to a new contract whenever you can.
The IRFU have confirmed that they have opened talks with Schmidt about a contract extension that would take him up to the World Cup in 2019. As things stand, Schmidt is contracted until the end of next season but IRFU chief Philip Browne has said that they are moving to allay fans fear that Schmidt could be lured away from Ireland.
We're in discussions with Joe. He's just off the back of the Six Nations and he's been away and I'm sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months.
'Some sort of conclusion' perhaps isn't as positive as we'd like it to be but at least we know talks are underway.
With the moneyed French clubs always on the lookout for the best of the best, and even rumblings that Schmidt is the man to take over from All Blacks coach Steve Hansen sooner rather than later, Ireland fans will want to see those contract talks wrapped up as soon as possible.
As was said on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, many of us would gladly pay an increase in tax if we knew if would go directly to Schmidt. Make it happen IRFU, make it happen. (Ideally without the tax hike)
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