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Joe Schmidt rules out Ireland departure

Joe Schmidt says that he is "absolutely committed" to staying on as Ireland's head coach.

Joe Schmidt has said that he is "absolutely committed" to remaining the head coach of Ireland.

Ireland were tipped by many to be dark horses this Rugby World Cup, but the Men in Green were trounced by Argentina 43-10 in the quarter-finals.

"We are going forward as best we can and I am certainly not going anywhere," Schmidt told RTE. "I am absolutely committed to the group of young men that I work with.

"I can't wait to get started post-Christmas, looking towards the Six Nations. One of the regrets I probably have now is Johnny Sexton's fitness was declared early in the week on the Wednesday. He trained on the Friday.

"For Ian Madigan to come in, he really had a small window of about 25 minutes to really prepare himself for the Test. It is not a great window to prepare."

The New Zealander also pointed out that injuries to Paul O'Connell and Peter O'Mahoney, as well as Sean O'Brien's suspension, did not help Ireland's cause.

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Jonathan Sexton of Ireland kicks the ball during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Ireland and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on October 4, 2015
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