Former Ireland and Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt has signed with Ulster Rugby in a newly created consultancy role as Coach Development Advisor. Approved by the IRFU, the New Zealander will support age-grade, school, and club coaches across the province over the next 12 months without taking any duties with the senior team.
A New Advisory Role Focused on the Coaching Pathway
Ulster Rugby has officially confirmed the appointment of Joe Schmidt in a consultancy capacity as Coach Development Advisor. The newly created position targets the development of a connected coaching pathway spanning the Academy, age-grade programmes, schools, clubs, and the professional game across the province.
The arrangement has received formal approval from the Irish Rugby Football Union. Schmidt will divide his time between remote interactions and several visits to the province over the next 12 months, providing strategic support, guidance, and mentorship to local coaches. While the initiative mirrors similar high-level consultancy moves in Irish rugby history—such as Leinster bringing in former All Blacks head coach Graham Henry in 2016 and Munster utilizing Chris Boyd during the 2024/2025 season—Schmidt’s mandate remains strictly focused away from the senior squad. Ulster senior head coach Richie Murphy confirmed that the Kiwi will add value to the education pathway but will not have any dealings with the senior side.
Reconnecting With Familiar Faces in Irish Rugby
The appointment reunites Schmidt with Ulster head coach Richie Murphy, who previously worked under the New Zealander during stints at both Leinster and the national team. Murphy spent three seasons as a skills and kicking coach under Schmidt at Leinster before following him into the Ireland setup in 2013, remaining part of the coaching ticket until Schmidt’s departure after the 2019 World Cup.
Murphy praised the return of his former boss to the Irish rugby ecosystem. I've worked with Joe on a number of occasions throughout my coaching career and know first-hand the value he brings to an organisation,
Murphy said.
Ulster has a proud rugby tradition and further developing the coaching pathway in the region is something that we believe can add value,
Schmidt noted. We've had initial discussions about where to get started, and I've already had the opportunity to work with some of the school coaches, alongside Dan Soper.
Stepping Away from Test Match Head Coaching
Schmidt takes on the Ulster advisory role immediately after concluding his tenure as head coach of the Wallabies, a post he held for the past two years to help rebuild the Australian national team following a difficult 2023 World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones. His departure from the Australian setup follows the conclusion of the Nations Championship southern series, paving the way for former Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss to take the reins.
Widely recognized across the world game, Schmidt’s decorated résumé includes guiding Leinster to two Heineken Cups, leading Ireland to three Six Nations Championships—including the 2018 Grand Slam—and earning World Rugby Coach of the Year honors in 2018. More recently, he assisted the All Blacks to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final before taking charge in Australia.
Long-Term Strategy for Ulster’s Performance Pathway
Ulster Rugby CEO Hugh McCaughey emphasized the need to invest in the architects of the game alongside player acquisition.
“As we continue to invest in the future of rugby across Ulster, it is important that we invest not only in our players, but also in the people responsible for developing them. Through our work in schools, clubs and age-grade rugby, we are creating opportunities for the next generation of players, and Joe’s appointment will help ensure we are strengthening our coaching pathway alongside that investment.”
Hugh McCaughey, Ulster Rugby CEO
Ulster General Manager Rory Best pointed out that the club laid groundwork last year by introducing a dedicated focus on player development within the performance pathway. Best noted that Schmidt’s involvement will help support coaches at every stage of their journey, creating a more connected and consistent coaching environment throughout the province.
Alongside Schmidt’s arrival, Ulster’s coaching setup sees further adjustments as New Zealander Clarke Dermody steps in as the new forwards coach, taking over from Jimmy Duffy following Duffy’s move to Munster.
Related reading
