Schmidt’s battle plan works a treat

After just two championship outings Ireland find themselves with a Triple Crown on offer when the team travels to London in just under a fortnight.

With England playing at their home in Twickenham for the first time in this season’s tournament, they will be warmly received by an expectant rugby public after performing well in their opening encounters against France and Scotland. They will be even better on their return to their spiritual home but on the evidence of Ireland’s comprehensive win over Wales, they will need to be.

Man of the match Peter O’Mahony summed up that performance succinctly when interviewed on the field immediately afterwards, describing it as “savage stuff”.