Joe Schmidt set for Ulster consultancy role

Former Ireland and Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt is set to take up a consultancy role with Ulster Rugby, focusing on the development of the province’s age-grade coaches.

Schmidt is expected to work with Ulster’s age-grade coaching pathway after the arrangement received approval from the IRFU.

The role will not involve direct work with Ulster’s senior team. Instead, Schmidt is expected to make several visits to the province to provide guidance, mentoring and support to coaches working with younger players.

Ulster Rugby Focus On Coach Development

The appointment is designed to strengthen coach education within Ulster and bring elite-level experience into the province’s development structure.

Ulster senior head coach Richie Murphy was consulted on the arrangement according to reports. Murphy previously worked under Schmidt at both Leinster and Ireland, first as a skills and kicking coach before joining the national set-up in 2013.

The move follows similar consultancy models used elsewhere in Irish rugby. Leinster previously brought in former All Blacks coach Graham Henry in 2016, while Munster used Chris Boyd as a performance consultant during the 2024/25 season.

Joe Schmidt Brings Elite Coaching Experience

Schmidt has one of the strongest coaching records in modern Irish rugby. He enjoyed major success with Leinster before taking charge of Ireland, where he remained until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

He recently ended his tenure as Wallabies head coach following the Nations Championship southern series. His successor with Australia is Les Kiss, who previously served as Ulster’s director of rugby.