LEINSTER COACH JOE SCHMIDT insisted after his side beat Wasps that he had enough on his plate but it has not stopped speculation on him taking over Ireland.
Leinster’s scrum coach Greg Feek responded, today, to questions about Schmidt being contacted by the IRFU about filling the role of coach recently vacated by Declan Kidney.
Feek told TheScore.ie, “The players and management are pretty chuffed and honoured to know that the head coach of Leinster is under consideration and everyone is thinking that he is the man for it. Everyone is proud of it.
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Whether he does or not, no-one knows. A lot of water has to go under the bridge yet.
He’s got a good record but there are a number of other great coaches out there that would do a good job. We’ve just got to wait and see. We’ve got a season to finish yet and that’s up to the IRFU to sort out.”
Feek admitted that Schmidt would leave ‘big shoes to fill’ if he left the province to take up the national coaching role later this year, presumably after the summer tour to North America.
“I don’t see any worries at the moment,” he said, “but the worries will come next year. He’s still in Ireland [next season] you know so if he does take it so he’d have that as an initiative.”
Fergus McFadden, who played at outside centre in Leinster’s 48-28 win over Wasps, said the topic of the New Zealander’s job prospects has been a popular one amongst the playing staff.
He told TheScore.ie, “Obviously it has been in the news, Twitter and all that type of stuff. People have their own opinions on it but, as far as I know, Joe has signed up for next year. That’s kind of where it stands at the moment.
McFadden admitted that speculation over Schmidt’s future had found its way into the Leinster dressing room.
“A couple of the lads have been asking around,” he said, “to see if there is any truth to it but it is very hard to know if he is going to be approached or not.”
Leinster proud of Joe Schmidt's link to the Ireland job - Greg Feek
LEINSTER COACH JOE SCHMIDT insisted after his side beat Wasps that he had enough on his plate but it has not stopped speculation on him taking over Ireland.
Leinster’s scrum coach Greg Feek responded, today, to questions about Schmidt being contacted by the IRFU about filling the role of coach recently vacated by Declan Kidney.
Feek told TheScore.ie, “The players and management are pretty chuffed and honoured to know that the head coach of Leinster is under consideration and everyone is thinking that he is the man for it. Everyone is proud of it.
Whether he does or not, no-one knows. A lot of water has to go under the bridge yet.
Feek admitted that Schmidt would leave ‘big shoes to fill’ if he left the province to take up the national coaching role later this year, presumably after the summer tour to North America.
“I don’t see any worries at the moment,” he said, “but the worries will come next year. He’s still in Ireland [next season] you know so if he does take it so he’d have that as an initiative.”
Feek addresses the media at Leinster’s press briefing today. (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Fergus McFadden, who played at outside centre in Leinster’s 48-28 win over Wasps, said the topic of the New Zealander’s job prospects has been a popular one amongst the playing staff.
He told TheScore.ie, “Obviously it has been in the news, Twitter and all that type of stuff. People have their own opinions on it but, as far as I know, Joe has signed up for next year. That’s kind of where it stands at the moment.
McFadden admitted that speculation over Schmidt’s future had found its way into the Leinster dressing room.
“A couple of the lads have been asking around,” he said, “to see if there is any truth to it but it is very hard to know if he is going to be approached or not.”
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