World can wait as Schmidt turns attention to Six Nations
50th game in charge and a third success this month, which sets him up nicely for the blockbuster opening to 2018 that is February’s Six Nations opener away to a vulnerable France in Paris. Win there and the sense that his Ireland, unbeaten since last March’s crash in Wales, really are going places again will be confirmed.
Following some stinging criticism in recent spring campaigns, nothing would surely please the coach more than to have his evolving team – now unbeaten in
seven – looked upon as definite contenders to win a first title since 2015.
‘The Six Nations is a phenomenal competition, he said. ‘I would pay the utmost respect to the Six Nations, that is our tournament. That is what we play. It has got a lot more history than the World Cup, which is really Johnny come lately and while it takes overall precedence, Six Nations is such a phenomenal title to get and it’s so tough.’
Such was Ireland’s level of preparation this month, there was a decent debut for winger Adam Byrne and an equally impressive first start for lock James Ryan. The youthful zest coronated by Jacob Stockdale, another fresh face, accounting for two of Ireland’s three tries to wrap up a three-match series where the coach capped 36 players, 30 as starters.
‘The coaching staff have worked really hard to get players ready but one of the best things about this group is the experienced players helping younger players. Jacob Stockdale had some help from Rob Kearney.
‘You are always disappointed when they score the last two tries of the fixture… both were frustrating but the way we had built our way into the game was really satisfying.
‘There were plenty of good elements, but we had to make 162 tackles… it’s a mix bag, but I never mind a mixed bag when you have got a nice comfortable ninepoint margin after they have just scored at the end.’