RUMOURS | Joe Schmidt lined up by Gallagher Premiership club

French sports newspaper Midi-Olympique report that Bath have made a move for the New Zealander, who would take the role of head coach "with immediate effect".

He wanted to spend time with his young family though admitted a return to rugby appeared inevitable and has since said he has been "blown away" by coaching offers.

Schmidt left Ireland following the quarter-final loss to the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup in Japan late last year.

During his time in charge, Ireland won three Six Nations titles , including a Grand Slam in 2018, and risen to the number two spot in the world rankings.