IRFU desperate to keep Joe Schmidt on until World Cup 2019

Que sera, sera.

What will be, will be. That is the latest from the IRFU head honcho following his declaration that the union are keen to tie up Joe Schmidt's services for another four years. The union are seeking to lengthen Schmidt's contract until after the 2019 World Cup. The Kiwi is currently tied into a deal that will take him past the 2016 Six Nations but there has been significant interest in his achievements in his native country. IRFU chief executive Phillip Browne spoke to reporters at Wednesday's announcement of €2.36 million in government funding towards their grass-roots plans and programmes. Browne said, 'We’re in discussions with Joe, he’s just off the back of the Six Nations and he’s been away on holidays and I’m sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months. 'It will be what it will be, I’d like to have more to say about it and when we do we’ll say it.' Steve Hansen is currently in charge of the All Blacks and will remain there until the 2017 Lions Tour. A compromise may be for Ireland to keep Schmidt on as coach until the tour - he is odds-on to get the Lions coaching job - and allow him to remain in New Zealand. While that ideal scenario may suit Schmidt, the IRFU would then be left seeking a new coach two years out from RWC 2019. Hat-tip: TV3