Halfback battle could decide result – Schmidt

– It’s nice to be recognised as No 1 in the world but to Ireland coach Joe Schmidt that means nothing when preparing his injury-hampered side to face Scotland in their World Cup opener.

With a rearranged Ireland backline and forecast wet weather, the outcome may well be decided in a titanic battle of the halves.

Ireland’s Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton face Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell in Yokohama tomorrow.

Laidlaw is effective whether kicking for territory or points, Russell possesses a variety of options with his kicking game but Schmidt said: “When you match that up with us with the likes of Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton I don’t think there’s much between the teams.”

Schmidt says the World Cup will surely produce the unexpected.

“There’s certainly things you do hold back a bit and I’ve no doubt we’ll see something from Scotland that we haven’t seen before,” said Schmidt, who bows out as coach at the end of the tournament.

Ireland tuned up for Japan with back-to-back wins over Six Nations champions Wales – which saw them promoted to the top of the global rankings.

Scotland, currently ranked seventh and considered unlucky not to make the semi-finals in 2015, completed their preparations with two wins over Tier-Two Georgia.

It was a workout that suited the Scottish forwards, with coach Gregor Townsend suggesting that could be where he sees an advantage over Ireland.

“We know them well and are well aware of the strengths they possess,” Townsend said.

“As we’ve got closer to the game our training has been more about fine-tuning the hard work that’s gone in over the pre-season into a focus for tomorrow’s game.” – AFP