The Irish Rugby Football Union will announce today at a press conference that Schmidt will take over from Declan Kidney, who was axed on April 2 after Ireland finished the Six Nations in fifth place.
Former school principal Schmidt moves from Irish club giants Leinster, where he’s won Heineken Cups and this year is on course to win both the RaboDirect Pro12 and Amlin Challenge Cup.
Ireland’s caretaker coach Les Kiss and Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, who’s also been linked to the Wallabies position, were his closest competition.
Kiss will take charge of the side during a summer tour of the United States and Canada, before Schmidt takes over for autumn clashes with Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.
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