Joe Schmidt leads Australia back to Lansdowne Road for challenging match against Ireland

In November 2024, Joe Schmidt, the Australian rugby coach, is preparing to return to Lansdowne Road, where he previously coached the Irish national team. Schmidt coached Ireland to great success over his tenure, achieving landmark victories, including three Six Nations titles and a historic win against New Zealand in 2018. However, his term ended in 2019 following a disappointing World Cup quarter-final loss, which he described as leaving him feeling 'a little bit broken'. Despite the successes Schmidt experienced in Irish rugby, he has expressed that he does not expect a warm welcome from fans this time, as he leads Australia in this upcoming match. Schmidt has also been actively involved in raising awareness about epilepsy due to his son's condition, which has garnered him respect and admiration in Ireland. His coaching journey began in France at Clermont, where he gained recognition, later moving to coach Leinster, where he won multiple European Cups before taking over the Irish national team. With mixed results as Australia’s coach so far, Schmidt is keen to turn the fortunes of the Wallabies around after a tough Rugby Championship campaign, and his return to Dublin represents a significant moment in his career as he swaps sides once again. Schmidt is particularly insightful about players’ strengths and weaknesses, which he applies to strategize against opponents. This match against Ireland is not just a game for Schmidt but a return to a place where he made a substantial impact on rugby development, both on and off the field.