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In 2026, Les Kiss will take over as Australia’s head coach, leading the Wallabies to their first-ever home Rugby World Cup.

Before leading the Wallabies to the first Nations Cup of next year, Schmidt will continue in his position until the upcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions and the Rugby Championship.

Kiss, who previously served as an Ireland assistant coach under Schmidt, will serve as the Queensland Reds’ head coach until 2026, when Rugby Australia announces an “orderly transfer” in leadership.

The “honor of a lifetime” will be led by Australian Kiss, who will become the Wallabies’ fifth head coach in seven years.

The 60-year-old said, “I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead the Wallabies as head coach from next year,” adding that it’s an “incredibly exciting time for Australian rugby.”

Joe and I have a strong relationship and a long history of working together, and I’m looking forward to building on the solid foundations he laid with the Wallabies,” said Kiss, who was formerly Ulster’s director of rugby and London Irish’s head coach.

Schmidt, a native of New Zealand, had planned to leave in October after winning the Rugby Championship, but he has since extended his stay to facilitate Kiss’ handover.

Following a turbulent start for the Wallabies, Eddie Jones became the former Ireland manager in 2023.

Before the 2023 World Cup, replacement Dave Rennie was fired following England’s quarter-final defeat in the 2019 World Cup.

Before the tournament, Jones signed a five-year deal that ran for only nine months as Australia, for the first time in their history, crashed out of the pool.

Schmidt, who has won six of his 13 matches in charge, said, “My intention to finish at the end of this year’s rugby championship has been adjusted to fit Les’ availability.”

It was crucial to coordinate with his responsibilities there because I believe he is doing a fantastic job with the Reds.

“It has certainly been a privilege to play for the Wallabies; the staff and players have worked hard, but we all know there will be a lot more work to do with the British and Irish Lions here in a few months.”

Novak Djokovic’s preparations for Roland Garros will be severely hampered by the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s decision to not compete in the Italian Open next week.

Since 2007, Djokovic has won the event six times, most recently in 2022, and has competed in Rome six times.

However, without any explanation, the tournament’s organizers announced on social media that the Serb would not play in 2025.

Djokovic’s troubled start to the year for the 37-year-old comes after his loss to last week’s opening match of the Madrid Open.

Djokovic, who is one victory away from his 100th ATP title, won his last major award at the Paris 2024 games.

In recent weeks, the world number five has lost early to opponents in Monte Carlo and Madrid’s clay court matches.

Djokovic made hints that this might be his final appearance at the Madrid Open after losing to Matteo Arnaldi in Italy in the previous match.

After losing in Madrid, Djokovic said, “It’s kind of a new reality for me, I must say, trying to win a match or two without really thinking about getting far in the tournament.”

Since he left Rome, he is unlikely to play another competitive game before the French Open, which will begin on May 26.