The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has confirmed they have started contract talks with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.
Schmidt's current deal is due to expire after next year's Six Nations and the New Zealander is expected to attract plenty of interest given the job he has done in his two years with Ireland.
The 49-year-old has guided Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles, meaning they should head into the World Cup later year brimming with confidence.
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne hopes Schmidt will continue in the role, but is not expecting a decision to be made imminently.
Browne said: "We're in discussions with Joe.
"He's just off the back of the Six Nations and he's been away on holidays and I’m sure those discussions will come to some sort of conclusion over the next couple of months.
"I'd like to have more to say about it and when we do, we’ll say it."