Joe Schmidt is to make a decision about his future, be it to extend his time as Ireland coach to 2019 or take up a position in New Zealand next year, in the coming weeks.

"I don't think it is a matter of finance," Philip Browne, IRFU chief executive officer said, in response to comments from the CEOs of Super Rugby franchises the Highlanders and the Chiefs that Schmidt was top of their list to fill soon-to-be-vacant head coaching positions.

Consideration

“Joe is from New Zealand, his family is there, and he obviously has to take those things into consideration.

“Joe knows exactly what our position is: we want him to stay. He is still in New Zealand, so until he comes back we won’t have any further idea what his thoughts are.

“Joe is here until the end of the summer tour [to Japan] next year, at a minimum.”

Browne, who is representing the Guinness Pro12 in discussions over a new global fixture list, does not feel a need to overhaul the present northern hemisphere calendar. “The people who are pushing for this are New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.”