SCHMIDT FIRES UP ENGINES
Coach eyes fast start to avoid repeat of last year
JOE SCHMIDT is optimistic that Ireland’s two-week Six Nations build-up has laid the foundation for a fast start in Paris tomorrow.
Ireland were blitzed by three early Scotland tries in last year’s opening-day defeat in Edinburgh.
However, he believes his squad’s week in Spain and return to Carton House this week was exactly what he wanted in the run-up to tomorrow’s difficult start away to France.
‘I’m happy with the past two weeks,’ said Schmidt, insisting that outside distractions — such as the continuing court case involving Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, and the sacking of Les Kiss as Ulster coach — hadn’t
affected preparations. ‘From that perspective, I’m really happy with what has happened so far. Am I confident? I’m hopeful that we will get a fast start. I know the French will want to get out of the blocks. The worst thing you can ever do to a French side is write them off. ‘I remember speaking to one particular All Black after the 2011 World Cup where the All Blacks had really hummed their way through the Cup. France had done things like lose to Tonga and scramble past a 14-man Wales team and really they were incredibly unlucky probably not to get a result there (in the final), just because that is the unknown that they present. ‘It’s probably similar to this weekend. They present a real unknown threat for us. The known parts of it are the individuals they have, and we know the quality that they bring. ‘My biggest fear is always that something will go wrong in the build-up. Once the players kick off it’s less fear. There is always anxiety but you’re just trying to be clearthinking and make good decisions regarding maybe messages on to players of which there are relatively few and the best timing of the replacements for the best reasons. ‘I would say that whether I knew the (opposition) team really well or I didn’t, I would be incredibly nervous in the lead-up to a Six Nations Test match.’ Schmidt has again leaned on a Leinster majority for the opener, picking seven from his former province to start and packing his replacements bench with another seven. James Ryan is the most eye-catching inclusion, the 21-year-old second row getting a second consecutive start at the expense of benched Devin Toner.