Schmidt to work in consultancy role at Ulster
Former Ireland and Australia head coach Joe Schmidt is to take up a newly created consultancy role with Ulster Rugby, focused on developing coaches across the province rather than working with the senior team. The appointment, titled coach development adviser, comes weeks after the 60-year-old New Zealander stepped down as Wallabies head coach following their 57-10 win over Italy in the Nations Championship. Ulster say the role forms part of a long-term strategy to strengthen coaching pathways throughout the organisation.
Schmidt led Ireland between 2013 and 2019, winning back-to-back Six Nations titles, a Grand Slam in 2018, and historic wins over New Zealand and South Africa, having previously coached Leinster to two Heineken Cups. Ulster general manager Rory Best, who captained Ireland under Schmidt, said the move builds on a player-development focus introduced last season and will support coaches from schools and clubs level up through the province's pathway programmes. Schmidt has also been linked with a possible future return to Leinster, whose head coach Leo Cullen is set to leave at the end of the 2026-27 season.
- Joe Schmidt joins Ulster as coach development adviser, not senior coach
- Move follows his exit as Australia head coach earlier this month
- Schmidt previously coached Ireland and Leinster to major titles
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Joe Schmidt is a highly regarded New Zealand rugby coach who led Ireland's national team from 2013 to 2019. During his time in charge, he won two Six Nations titles, a Grand Slam in 2018, and achieved historic victories over New Zealand and South Africa. He previously coached Leinster, another Irish province, to multiple European club rugby titles.
Ulster is one of the four professional rugby provinces in Ireland. Schmidt is taking on a newly created role as a coach development adviser, focusing on improving coaching standards across Ulster's pathways rather than coaching the senior team directly. This appointment is part of Ulster's broader strategy to strengthen coaching at all levels throughout the organisation.
The appointment reflects the importance Ulster places on coaching development. Schmidt's extensive experience at the highest levels of rugby, demonstrated through his success with Ireland and Leinster, brings proven expertise to this new role.