Outsiders give Schmidt a reminder

Quite a week then. I must admit I didn’t see Rob Penney’s departure from Munster coming down the track nor, for that matter, that Ireland would beat Wales by a margin of 23 points.

Any wonder that manager Warren Gatland described Saturday’s Welsh performance as the worst in his seven years at the helm.

The fact that Wales were never offered a platform to play can be traced directly to the tactical mastery of Joe Schmidt and forwards coach John Plumtree, implemented majestically by their trusted lieutenants on the field in Johnny Sexton and Paul O’Connell.