Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is poised to go up against the men in green next summer - as an All Blacks selector.
Schmidt, 56, recently left his role as Director of High Performance of World Rugby and took on a part-time coaching support role with the Blues in his native country.
But it has now been reported in New Zealand that Grant Fox, who had signalled he would be finishing up as a selector after the 2019 World Cup, is now departing.
And that has opened the door for Schmidt to come on board as part of Ian Foster's set-up after a year for the All Blacks that culminated in those defeats to Ireland and France in November.
Schmidt, of course, guided Ireland to their first victories over the All Blacks - in 2016 and 2018.
But his last match in charge was the defeat to the Kiwis in Japan in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.
Ireland are scheduled to have three Tests in New Zealand next July at the end of a long season, and it will add further intrigue if, as is reported, Schmidt is on board with the All Blacks.
And, by coming on board as a member of Foster's backroom, the move will enhance Schmidt's chances of landing the head coach position down the line.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
