Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has expressed his hopefulness of becoming the new Ireland boss following positive talks with the IRFU.
Following the sacking of Declan Kidney after his poor Six Nations showing, Schmidt was one of four candidates who was interviewed for the position.
Schmidt, who guided Leinster to back-to-back Heineken Cups in 2011 and 2012, would be delighted to land the job.
"Of course the job interests me, otherwise I wouldn't have gone to see the federation," Schmidt told Sky Sports News.
"After that we have to wait and see because I had signed a year's extension to my contract with Leinster.
"[The Leinster board] gave me permission to speak with the IRFU. If I still interest the IRFU, then maybe something can happen with the national team."
Schmidt has previously taken charge of Bay of Plenty, Auckland Blues and Clermont Auvergne.
