Joe Schmidt dismisses reports linking him with England job

A report in French newspaper Midi Olympique has suggested that Joe Schmidt is being lined up to replace Stuart Lancaster as coach of the England rugby team.

A couple of credible rugby sources ran with the story that may be nothing more than wishful thinking from the RFU after a wretched World Cup.

The media outlet states that while Jake White and Japan boss Eddie Jones are interested in the post, Schmidt is the man at the top of the RFU’s list.

Asked about it in his press conference this afternoon, he said: “I don’t know where that’s come from at all, externally I’d be a fan of Stuart Lancaster”.

Unlike Lancaster, Schmidt has a World Cup quarterfinal to plan for and he has gambled on the fitness of Johnny Sexton for tomorrow’s game against Argentina in Cardiff.

“If we had lost (to France) last weekend it could be someone else propositioned for this job”.

“I enjoy chatting with Stuart before and after matches, and I certainly wouldn’t be going after his job”.

Schmidt’s star has been on the rise since his days as assistant coach to Vern Cotter at Clermont Auvergne.

The 50-year-old’s stock has risen on the global coach pecking order after guiding Ireland to the past two Six Nations championships, and they are now on the verge of making the World Cup semi-finals for the first time.