Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has confirmed that he will make a decision on his future by the end of this month.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his team’s clash with Italy in Chicago this evening (8pm), the New Zealander said: "Yes, by the end of November I will [decide].
"I think it's one of those things where you've just got to sit down and make a decision. You can't let it linger, for two reasons really.
"One, if I'm staying I want the clarity going forward and if I'm not staying I want the clarity for the IRFU because I think half the job is what gets done under your watch, the other half of the job is how you leave it so that somebody else can pick it up.
"And so I want nice clarity either way."
#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 1, 2018
Here's your Ireland team for #IREvITA @TheRugbyWeekend in Soldier Field.#shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/7mWEJVGqeS
Schmidt, who took the job in 2013, signed an extension two years ago that expires after next year’s World Cup.
Ireland are currently ranked second in the world and Schmidt has won three Six Nations titles during his tenure.
Last month the IRFU said that they expected a decision by the end of the year with the general tone of their message generating the feeling that Schmidt could move on.
He added: "Look, I cannot say that I've ever enjoyed working more with a group and whether that's the young guys that are here or whether it's the guys that we just finished with in [the training base at] Carton House.
"I am really good at compartmentalising and I got home for a night on [Wednesday] so it was great to catch up with the family and try to block out a few things, and when they headed off to bed I got a little bit done and I got a few things done on the plane.
"But I know that, I've spoken to [wife] Kellie, even the kids, talking to Tim last night, just trying to make a decision that is the right one for all of us really."
#Italrugby, ecco gli Azzurri in campo a Chicago per la sfida con l’Irlanda il 3 novembre: https://t.co/xS7gCGQIil 💪#IREvITA #insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana @TheRugbyWeekend pic.twitter.com/u6MRtdk0D5
— Italrugby (@Federugby) October 24, 2018
Meanwhile, despite not naming Conor Murray in his 42-man squad for the upcoming games, Schmidt hinted that the scrum-half is in the running for the visit of New Zealand on 17 November.
"Well, based on his training in the last few days, he's super, super sharp," Schmidt said.
"I think because we are going to err on the side of caution. I just think at this stage, he would be a very outside chance of being involved.
"To be honest, he would have to be really flying in that New Zealand week to be involved.
"It definitely gave me food for thought, the last few days working with him and seeing how sharp he was."
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