Ireland have opened contract talks with coach Joe Schmidt in a bid to extend his spell in charge of the side until the 2019 World Cup.

The New Zealander has been in charge of the team since 2013, leading them to back-to-back Six Nations titles, equalling the side's longest winning run in the process.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne told the Irish Independent: "We're in discussions with Joe. He's just off the back of the Six Nations and he's been away and I'm sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months."

Ireland are currently third in the world rankings behind New Zealand and South Africa.