Pat Lam responds to Ireland job links

Each week that passes without an update on Joe Schmidt's future with Ireland leaves a wider gap for speculation.

The Ireland head coach is contracted up with the IRFU until next summer but most supporters are keen to have the Kiwi on-board until the 2019 World Cup. Schmidt told reporters, in May, that he would make a decision on his future after the June tour to South Africa. If that decision is made, it has not been made known to the wider public. The only known known at present is that Schmidt will not be leading the British & Irish Lions in his native New Zealand. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/756489968021823488 IRFU director of high performance, David Nucifora sounded some alarm bells at the end of last season when he spoke of Ireland having plenty of successors to chose from, within the current coaching set-up [Simon Easterby and Andy Farrell] or from one of the provinces. With Connacht the current Guinness PRO12 champions, all eyes are looking to their engaging coach, Pat Lam. At this morning's PRO12 season launch, Lam addressed links between himself and the Irish job. He said:

"It's exactly that [something I can't conrol]. Everyone involved with Irish rugby would like Joe to stay, with the work he is doing. "The secret of Irish rugby success is that the provinces and Irish rugby are all aligned. Our role at Connacht is to always be at the top level of European rugby and produce more players to play for Ireland."  "Everyone makes their own decisions," Lam added, "but it is noting to do with me. My whole focus is Connacht Rugby."

Connacht captain John Muldoon was asked about Lam's future and was happy to be corrected when saying the province had their in-demand for next season. "And the one after that too," Muldoon remarked. Lam is contracted up to June 2018 with the westerners. On the latest GAA Hour we look back at Mayo-Tipperary and chat to Andy Moran about his incredible, never-ending career. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.