New boys face baptism of fire

Even for a coach as experienced as Joe Schmidt, international rugby represents a whole new canvass for the affable New Zealander.

It doesn’t help that his right-hand man, forwards coach John Plumtree, is in the same position with a brief sojourn acting as a video analyst for John Mitchell when he was coach of New Zealand over a decade ago his only exposure to international rugby.

That is why the input of defence coach Less Kiss, who has been part of the Ireland set-up since Declan Kidney’s appointment back in 2008, will be vital over the next few days.