Coming out swinging

After getting their early season back on track with the victory over Munster, new coach Joe Schmidt must quickly refocus on the small matter of the European Cup. He spoke yesterday to Alan Good.

WHEN Joe Schmidt pitched up in Dublin to begin his stint as Leinster’s new coach this summer, a myriad of new challenges awaited.

Satisfying the demand for success after Magners League and Heineken Cup wins? He anticipated that. Same goes for having to stamp his more subtle methods on a side accustomed to the abrasiveness of Michael Cheika.