RUB OF GREEN
Schmidt hoping St Patrick’s Day luck is with Irish
JOE SCHMIDT is backing Ireland’s character to see them through tomorrow’s Grand Slam decider — but says no matter how thorough they prepare, they will need luck to help them reach sporting immortality.
Schmidt has made one change to his starting team for the England game, with Iain Henderson replacing Devin Toner in the second row.
This settled approach contrasts with that of the embattled Eddie Jones, who is gambling by changing two-thirds of his team, with seven new faces and 10 overall changes, including positional switches, in the starting 15.
‘Not only does it have to be a really good performance,’ Schmidt said of what is required at Twickenham. ‘Even Alex Ferguson said that you want to put all those good things together and then you just
need an ounce of luck when it comes to those really big games.’ Schmidt sidestepped the controversy over Jones’ gratuitous reference to the ‘scummy’ Irish when discussing England’s defeat 12 months ago, but another prematch controversy was put to bed when World Rugby announced last night that Marius van der Westhuizen has been replaced as a touch judge on Saturday. This comes after he attended England training during the week, once permitted under World Rugby rules but will no longer be allowed. ‘World Rugby takes responsibility for this oversight and has taken the proactive decision to stand Marius down to avoid any additional unfair and unnecessary conjecture,’ the governing body said in a statement. Nigel Owens takes over from van der Westhuizen, and it is likely Ireland made their displeasure known when news of the latter’s involvement with England emerged. There was a calm around the Irish team hotel as they prepared to depart for London last night, and Schmidt revealed he has thought about the worst-case scenario, too. ‘There is no point in dreaming beyond this Saturday, because this Saturday is a finite point for us where a number of things have to happen and go right,’ he said. ‘Worst-case scenario is that England hit the ground running and win with a bit to spare. It would be a crushing way for us to finish a year of being unbeaten.’