Aussie coach Kiss a loss for Irish: Best

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt will struggle to replace "one of the best defence coaches in the world" in Australian Les Kiss, according to star hooker Rory Best.

Best believes Ireland have a job on their hands to find Kiss' equal, with the popular former Queensland State of Origin representative having taken over as rugby director at Ulster.

The British and Irish Lions rake backed head coach Schmidt to pull off another coup however, citing Simon Easterby's progress as forwards coach in replacing John Plumtree to underscore that belief.

"I think it will be tough: if you're trying to replace like-for-like in terms of Les, for me he's one of the best defence coaches in the world," said Best.

"I'd have no problem standing over that.

"It's going to be very tough, but with Joe there, he managed to make it work when John Plumtree left.

"Joe brought in Simon Easterby and he's brought different strengths, and I don't think the forward play has suffered any for that.

"Joe knows what he wants, knows what he likes and knows how he wants Ireland to go forward."