Rory Best wants Joe Schmidt to remain Ireland coach beyond 2017

Ireland captain Rory Best hopes Joe Schmidt remains coach of the Irish team beyond the end of his current contract in 2017.

Schmidt indicated this week that he would decide whether to stay in the post until the 2019 Rugby World Cup after this summer's tour to South Africa.

Ireland were crowned Six Nations winners in 2014 and 2015 but will finish third this year if they beat Scotland in Dublin on Saturday and newly-crowned champions England overcome France in Paris.