It was thought that Joe Schmidt’s contract precluded him from coaching the Lions.
After Eddie Jones ruled himself out of leading the Lions to New Zealand in 2017, and Joe Schmidt revealed that his contract with the IRFU precluded him from doing so, it was thought that Warren Gatland was the only plausible candidate to take on the role.
However in an interview with RTE Radio 1’s Saturday Sport, IRFU Chief Executive, Philip Browne, revealed that he would be open to discussing the possibility of releasing Schmidt if he was offered the Lions job.
If the opportunity arose for Joe [to manage the Lions] of course we’d talk about it.
Although Browne quickly moved onto to other matters relating to Irish rugby, this development adds extra spice to Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Wales, and to the Championship as a whole.
Who is the best candidate to coach the @lionsofficial?https://t.co/aR1KmWAUm6
— Alan Drumm (@alanjdrumm) January 31, 2016
Alan Drumm, Pundit Arena
Read More About: British and Irish lions, eddie jones, Ireland, Joe Schmidt, Wales, warren gatland
