Jeyes must be given a sporting chance of protecting our children

WHAT do Gordon Jeyes and Joe Schmidt have in common? You may not have heard of Gordon Jeyes, although you will. Neither Jeyes nor Schmidt is Irish, but both are doing jobs that matter. It’s important to all of us that they both win.

We know from Schmidt’s coaching of Leinster Rugby that he knows how to win. When he was appointed Ireland rugby coach, at the start of this season, it felt like we had turned a corner. A new style, lots of discipline, a season to relish.

The first match against Samoa was, I suppose, ordinary. A win, for sure, but not too many signs of the crisp, attacking style and energy you associated with Leinster. Then, an awful match against Australia, in which the Ireland team looked confused and out-of-sorts.