Sooner rather than later, it looks like Joe Schmidt may be handed the Ireland job. The favourite with fans and pundits alike, the two-time Heineken Cup-winning Leinster coach has also indicated some interest in the role.

But while he would receive most people’s blessing it is important to not expect too much or to put Schmidt under immediate pressure if he is appointed.

The intense pressure surrounding the role is something the New Zealander is distinctly aware of as he revealed earlier this week:

“The post itself is obviously an attractive one, but the flexibility around the post would also be something attractive. But the pressure of the post wouldn’t be top of my list of things that would be attractive.”

Schmidt has brought great success to Leinster over the last two years, particularly in Europe. But Ireland is a different matter and patience from fans and pundits should be the code to follow.

The national team is in the midst of transition. Some of the older guard which won the Heineken Cup is coming towards the end of its tenure, with younger talents starting to establish themselves, which leaves Schmidt with a number of key decisions to make midway through a Rugby World Cup cycle.

Expectations should be dampened somewhat even if Schmidt is to make a storming start to his tenure.

In many ways, one of Declan Kidney’s problems was the fact that the last four years of his time as Ireland Head Coach could not match the glorious first year which yielded the Six Nations Grand Slam and Triple Crown.

If Schmidt gets the job, it seems that expectation will reach fever pitch.

But there are two Six Nations campaigns to go before the 2015 Rugby World Cup and with the team in transition both of those tournaments will most likely be used as part of the rebuilding process which means results could well be inconsistent. So judgement should be reserved until after the World Cup.