Schmidt hoping to prolong stay at Leinster

RUGBY: JOE SCHMIDT'S continuation or not as Leinster coach beyond this season will come down to family considerations. If the issues can be resolved, it'll constitute a massive fillip for the province, players and supporters alike.

He briefly broached the subject at a media conference yesterday, ostensibly to announce a new sponsorship agreement between Leinster rugby and the Conrad Hotel in Dublin. The issues are understandably private but the New Zealander did discuss the topic in a general manner.

“We’re really close and I think Leinster is a super place to be. I’d like to continue here, to be honest, (but) there’s factors outside of rugby at the moment that we just need to get comfortable with first of all. What I can say is I’m not looking for any other job.

“If it doesn’t continue it won’t be because I’m looking for any other job; it would just be more a family decision than a coaching one.”

When asked to venture a timeframe for a decision, he continued: “I’d like to say by this time next week. I’d like to say that I think I’ll still be here next season. So I’d like to think that’s where we’ll end up. I just don’t like to say it categorically yet because we’re just trying to find our feet with some other issues.”

There are more immediate matters to occupy him at the moment, principally a spiralling injury list ahead of tomorrow’s game against the Dragons at the RDS. “Unfortunately we have a few more long-term injuries than we would have liked.

“Dominic Ryan has ruptured the ligament in front on the top of his ankle and he will be out of play for between 10 to 12 weeks. Isaac Boss has done a fair bit of damage to the medial ligament in his elbow and he will be out for between six and eight weeks.

“Aaron Dundon went to the doctor to get stitches over the eye and complained that his foot was sore. It (came to light) he has a fairly severe mid-foot sprain and he will be out for eight to ten weeks.” The latest casualties add to a list of long-term injuries to key players such as Seán O’Brien, Rhys Ruddock, Luke Fitzgerald, David Kearney and Eoin O’Malley.

Hooker, in particular, is proving a troublesome position. Dundon’s injured, so too academy prospect David Doyle, while looking down the line, Ireland-qualified Richardt Strauss and Seán Cronin, who comes under the national team management programme, may not be available to the province from time to time.

Tom Sexton will get an opportunity but further contingencies include getting Cian Healy – he played there at school – and loosehead prop James Treacy to practise their lineout throwing. In the circumstances, Leinster have sought dispensation to play Cronin against the Dragons tomorrow. He’s only returned to team training this week.

Schmidt explained: “Sean Cronin may well be available and if we can negotiate that it will help us; he only started on the field this week with us so it’s not an ideal situation but we’re hoping he will be available.

“Richardt Strauss is in pretty good shape so we will give him as much time as possible (to prepare). Obviously if he and Aaron Dundon are unavailable, Tom Sexton will come on to the bench.”

The manner of Leinster’s defeat to the Scarlets, as much as the stark numbers on the scoreboard, is something Schmidt hopes will be addressed in terms of performance at the RDS when the Dragons come calling. “There’s always more pressure on the back of a defeat, particularly the nature of that defeat.

“The players are very aware of that and the coaching staff is, but at the same time there is an expectation from our supporters that a performance like last week will not be repeated this week. I think there’s very much an internal expectation that it won’t be repeated either.”

The Leinster team to play the Dragons will be announced at midday today.