Schmidt won’t be swayed

– Irish head coach Joe Schmidt has laughed off counterpart Eddie Jones’ tongue-incheek comment that his England team have “no chance” in the Six Nations due to their injury issues.

Ireland beat England in Dublin last year to deny the eventual champions a Grand Slam and will now focus on preventing England winning a record third crown in a row.

The two countries are expected to battle it out for the Six Nations title once more but Schmidt declined to be drawn on Jones’ comments.

“I have known Eddie for a long time and I know he is likely to throw a grenade in. It makes things interesting for people.”

Every side coming into the competition have injury issues following a tough winter in club rugby.

However, Schmidt is focused on the players he has as opposed to who is not available.

“You can always reflect on who you are missing but it’s important to focus on who you have got and who we are excited about,” he said.

Ireland are without Garry Ringrose and Sean O’Brien while Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne is also missing.

Three of Ireland’s four provincial clubs have reached European quarterfinals this season, with Leinster and Munster progressing in the Champions Cup and in the Challenge Cup.

Captain Rory Best was cautiously optimistic that European form could bring them momentum in the Six Nations.

“At the top end Ireland have done brilliantly but you have to park that now. The momentum created by that is only useful if you direct it into the national team, so that is what we are focusing on,” he said.

Ireland open their Six Nations campaign next Saturday against France, whom they have beaten in four of their last five clashes, but Schmidt is wary of the threat posed by a young French side.

“How quickly can they gel? That is the challenge. I don’t know how much homework people are doing on their young players but I am really impressed,” he said.

Schmidt highlighted France’s 19-year-old rookie flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert as a player to watch. –