Schmidt has brought a belated professionalism to Irish test rugby

I was privileged to attend the Ireland v France Six Nations test match on February 14.

Ireland played with composure and a strategy. We are one of the best teams in the world. The attention to detail, provided and insisted upon by head coach, Joe Schmidt, and his management team, brings a belated professionalism to Irish test rugby.

In the week leading up to the French game, Schmidt had forewarned that Ireland’s attacking play would be less-than-fluid, due to the number of players returning after long absences, and so it proved to be.

Apart from Frenchman Pascal Pape’s deliberate (and now punished) transgression against Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip, no other injuries were incurred by Ireland; and Jonathan Sexton proved the doubters wrong with his triumphant return to the test arena and a man-of-the-match display.

As a champion coach, Schmidt puts a premium on Ireland defending its home ground (the Aviva Stadium) as if it were a fortress; this requires organisation and dedication. If a team develops a formidable home record, confidence flows from this, and it gives itself a fighting chance in any competition.

Schmidt’s strategy is working.

Against England next weekend, our intensity will need to rise.

The need to protect our home ground, and home record, should provide this.

John B. Reid,

‘Crannmór’,

Knapton Road,

Monkstown,

Co Dublin