Joe Schmidt afforded himself a small chuckle when he was told that his players had been described by rival coach Michael Cheika as the “greatest Irish team in their history”.

Joe Schmidt’s confidence that out-half Johnny Sexton will be fit for next month’s RBS 6 Nations Championship coincides with an upgrade to his expectations about Ireland’s prospects in this season’s Championship.

Jonathan Sexton believes his failure to land a crucial, late penalty against New Zealand in Dublin three years ago has helped make him a better place-kicker.