JOE Schmidt has been announced as the new head coach of Irish rugby.
Schmidt comes into the role off the back of guiding Leinster to the brink of their third European title in three seasons.
The New Zealander had been favourite to succeed Declan Kidney, whose five-year tenure ended after a poor Six Nations campaign.
Last year, Schmidt signed a one-year extension at Leinster which would have taken him to the end of the 2013/14 season.
He now turns his attention to what he has described as one of the biggest jobs in world rugby.
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