Joe Schmidt will look to lower the curtain on his nine years in Ireland with another big win at fortress Aviva today.
The 53-year-old Kiwi has taken charge of 42 games there with a record of 35 wins, six defeats and one draw across his time with Leinster and Ireland.
“It’s all a bit of a blur,” Schmidt (above) said, “the great days have been the ones where the players have done something a little bit special.
“A few years ago, when England were on the cusp of breaking the record for the most consecutive wins and going for back-to-back Grand Slams, Kieran Marmion started at No.9 and did such an phenomenal job for us.
“The All Blacks win was huge. I think the glass is incredibly thick in the coach’s box which is probably a good thing sometimes but even then you could feel the atmosphere.
“It was phenomenal right up until the last play. Those are moments that you do certainly cherish and it’s been a privilege to have been involved in Leinster as well.
“There’s sad days like 2013 against the All Blacks but they’re counter-balanced now because whoever has come here we’ve managed to beat at some stage through the last six years. It’s been a privilege I’ve got to say.”
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