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Joe Schmidt plays down England link

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt dismisses reports that he could be a candidate to replace England's Stuart Lancaster.

Joe Schmidt has dismissed talk that he could be a candidate to take over as England coach if Stuart Lancaster leaves the role.

The England coach's position has been called into question following the side's exit from the Rugby World Cup in the pool stage of the tournament.

Ahead of his side's quarter-final against Argentina, the Ireland coach told reporters: "I don't know where that's come from at all. Externally I'd be a fan of Stuart Lancaster as a person and what he's trying to build there.

"If we'd lost last weekend it could be someone else being propositioned for my job. Stuart is a first-class character. I certainly wouldn't be going after his job."

England are the first host nation not to make it to the knockout phase of the World Cup.

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Jonathan Sexton of Ireland kicks the ball during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Ireland and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on October 4, 2015
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