Schmidt rules out Leinster return after Australia exit

July 2, 2026 No Comments

Schmidt rules out Leinster return after Australia exitImage source, InphoImage caption, Schmidt’s two-year reign as Australia boss will end later this monthByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI Senior JournalistPublished37 minutes agoOutgoing Australia boss Joe Schmidt insists he has no plans to prolong his international coaching career – and a return to Leinster is not an option for him “at the moment”. The 60-year-old will hand over the Wallabies reins to Les Kiss after this month’s Nations Championship fixtures against Ireland, France and Italy. Schmidt won three Six Nations titles, including the 2018 Grand Slam, during his six-year spell as Ireland head coach.”I don’t really have any ambition to keep coaching as a head coach or anything else,” mentioned the New Zealander.”I don’t feel like I need to be a head coach, and I certainly don’t need to be a national head coach.”Prendergast starts as Osborne makes wing switch for Ireland

7 hours ago

Leinster confirm Ireland fly-half Carbery’s return

5 hours ago

Leinster ‘don’t need the whole family’

Before taking over as Ireland coach in 2013, Schmidt won back-to-back European Cups during a three-year spell with Leinster.

However, while his son works for the Irish province, Schmidt indicated he is not interested in replacing Leo Cullen, who will step down at the end of the 2026-27 season.

“They’ve already got my son working for them, so I don’t think they need the whole family,” mentioned Schmidt with a smile.

“I think Leinster are a juggernaut. I know silverware in Europe is the massive benchmark for them, but they’ve done everything but that and been so competitive and so consistent.”

Pressed on whether he would consider the Leinster job if approached, he replied: “Not at the moment.

“You guys know me well. I’m very short-term focused. I’m just trying to get through these last three games to help as best I can and help the group grow a little bit further.

“I feel like they are great. I feel like I can take a few steps back, and they can really lead themselves now.

“I think that’s a great transition for Les in that they can grab the reins. I fly to Ireland on 10 August to go up and see my new grandson. I’m certainly going up there, but not to be coaching really. I’ll be looking forward to that heatwave!”