If Schmidt doesn't want the job, we must look further afield, I have good time for Mike Ruddock and wouldn't be too disappointed if he's appointed, Conor O'Shea looks out of the running. Really there is no-one in Ireland good enough to take the job at the moment.

As important as the coach is a strong coaching team, can't have double jobbing at this level. The money saved from Sexton, Ferris etc. needs to go in to a strong coaching team. The IRFU really can't afford to get this wrong. We have a limited team but they can be competitive with the right setup in place. If not they will slip down the pecking order and rugby in this country will be back in the doldrums.

For me I'd love Schmidt but I think the chances of him taking the job are slim. To be frank I think it's more important to get a Director of Rugby put in place and for my money it should go to Dave Humphries if he's willing to take the job.

Not sure if Schmidt would want to be considered. His daughter is in Uni in Auckland and his son does the Leaving next year in Terenure, If he goes back to NZ for college, likely that Schmidt will head home too. He's on record for saying that also.

imo mike ruddock will be the front runner for tbe job. he pulled out of the running for the connacht job. this could be the reason.

This might seem petty but I wouldn't like ruddock, he has strong blue tinted glasses. I think there's a decent chance Schmidt would take the position, assuming he's not sick of the irfu. The only person saying Schmidt is leaving has been thornley, when it was suggested around November that Schmidt could help our backs play Gerry freaked out, everything he says about Schmidt has been designed to protect kidney IMO.

If as seems likely that Kidney will either leave or not have his contract renewed, who would be on list of replacements? I assume Conor O'Shea is unavailable as he has recently renewed his contract with Quins.

I like the idea of Mike Ruddock, but don't know enough about him. Mark McCall?

Would the IRFU be mad enough to consider Bradley? Would they forgive EOS?

Who else?