Why Joe Schmidt has Irish squad singing off his hymn-sheet

Strategically speaking, Ireland were as impressive as any nation in the first round of games, writes Ronan O’Gara

TOMORROW night at Twickenham, we see the first Tier One side properly backed into a corner at this Rugby World Cup.

Defeat for England or Wales in Pool A will not eliminate them, but force the loser into a do-or-die armwrestle with Michael Cheika’s Australia a week later on October 3rd. The level of detail required at this level is extraordinary, but at this juncture, everyone is loathe to be showing too much of their hand. That all changes for England-Wales.