Joe Schmidt might not be Leinster boss for much longer but there is no doubting the esteem he holds Brian O'Driscoll in after the centre's try-scoring performance yesterday in the Amlin Challenge Cup win over Biarritz at the RDS.
Newstalk Breakfast's Oisin Langan caught up with Schmidt after the game and the Leinster head coach was crystal clear about his hopes for O'Driscoll's future.
"We'd be happy to keep him for another three years with the way he is playing," he said.
Naturally Oisin turned the conversation to the speculation surrounding the Ireland job and Schmidt was happy to oblige.
The New Zealander confirmed that he has had "a couple of discussions" with the IRFU but that no decision has been made yet. But he did give a tantalising clue concerning the timing of any announcement.
"Whatever happens will probably take place in the next three to four days because they need clarity and I need clarity," he revealed.
"It is something that is difficult to keep responding to. It's frustating that I don't have anymore news. I'm excited if there is an opportunity but at the same time, I'm really nervous about it because there is a lot of work that goes into putting together a national team. I've never done it before."
Listen to the full interview here:
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
