John Plumtree to leave Ireland role

John Plumtree will leave his role as Ireland's forwards coach after the summer tour of Argentina in order to be closer to his family in New Zealand.

Head coach Joe Schmidt confirmed Plumtree's departure as the squad prepared to fly out to Buenos Aires at Dublin Airport this afternoon.

Plumtree will return to his native New Zealand to take up a coaching job with the Wellington Hurricanes later this summer following the conclusion of the two-test series against the Pumas in Resistencia (June 7th) and Tucuman (June 14th).

“I have really enjoyed working with Joe, Les and the players over the last few months,”Plumtree said today. “But at the end of the day family must come first and we must do what we think is best for the Plumtree family. I would like to thank the IRFU for their understanding and wish everyone involved in Irish rugby the best of luck for the future.”

Ireland team manager, Michael Kearney added: “The Ireland team and management would like to thank John for his contribution to the team’s success over the past season. We are sad to see him go but our best wishes are with John and his family on their return to New Zealand.”

Schmidt also announced that Martin Moore picked up a toe injury during Leinster's Pro12 final win over Glasgow yesterday evening and will miss the trip with Connacht pop Rodney Ah You coming into the touring party.

Keith Earls also misses out with a virus, Leinster's Noel Reid providing cover for the versatile Munster back. Robbie Henshaw had been ruled out of the squad earlier this week but Schmidt has decided against replacing the Connacht centre.