New Zealander Joe Schmidt will meet Irish rugby bosses this week to discuss the vacant Ireland head coaching position.
Schmidt, who has forged a successful tenure as coach of Irish province Leinster, is regarded as a leading candidate to succeed Declan Kidney, whose contract wasn’t renewed after five years as national coach.
He is one of four people reportedly to be interviewed by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) this week.
“I think the job is open at the moment. If they believe I’m a contender, it’s something I’ve also got to reconcile with Leinster, and my commitment here,” Schmidt told RTE Sport.
“In world rugby, it would be an attractive post, no doubt,” said Schmidt. “But, for me, it’s the commitment I’ve made to Leinster that is one thing.
“I’ve probably struggled at times with the IRFU, and they’ve struggled with me. Inevitably that may be an issue as well.”
Schmidt coached Bay of Plenty in 2003-04 before graduating to an assistant role with the Blues for three seasons of Super Rugby. He served a further three years as coach of French club Clermont Auvergne.
Leinster have won three of the last four Heineken Cup titles – the last two under Schmidt – although they failed to advance from the pool stage this season.