Return of key man O’Mahony a boost for Schmidt
O’Mahony returns to the side following a hamstring injury and Schmidt believes his selection ahead of Iain Henderson was a no-brainer.
“No disrespect to Iain,” said Schmidt of the Ulsterman. “He’s learning and it was a great experience for him last week but Peter is already proficient at the level. He played very well for us in the three games prior to last weekend so he will bring that threat around the breakdown, the physicality that he expresses on the field. It’s great to have him back.”
With Henderson dropping to the bench in place of Rhys Ruddock, Ian Madigan jumps back into the match-day squad as replacement for Paddy Jackson, who Schmidt sympathised with before the team announcement in Carton House.
However, the coach said he made the call based on Madigan’s ability to cover three positions in the backs.
“I guess it has been pretty competitive. We just needed the coverage really. One of the things that happened in England was we got a couple of niggles and we ended up with not having as broad a coverage as we would have liked. If Johnny [Sexton] was unavailable I think we would probably have started with Paddy. It certainly is no disrespect for what he has done because he has been great value so far.”
Schmidt wasn’t surprised by French coach Philippe Saint-Andre’s decision to make four changes from the scrape in Murrayfield. Not even the decision to include 19-year-old Gael Fickou, who starts alongside giant Mathiew Bastareoud.
“We talked about it being either Maxime Mermoz or Fickou, so it wasn’t a massive surprise. He has made a really good impression coming off the bench each time so sometimes you earn an opportunity to get a start as a result.”
Schmidt doesn’t need to warn his charges of the physical demands that will be made on them. Saint-Andre has already sent out the message by splitting his bench 6-2 in favour of heavyweight forwards.
“I was probably a little surprised they went for the six-two split but I also can see some logic in it because it is going to be very, very physical.
“It just allows fresh legs to maintain a physical intensity to bash the opposition even when fatigue starts to tell. The athleticism and impact that [Wenceslas] Lauret can make, the size and strength of guys like [Sebastien] Vahaamahina and [Alexander] Flanquart, they can all be really useful off the bench and it is going to be a big challenge for our two young lads off the bench — Iain Henderson and Jordi Murphy. To match up to that sort of physicality is going to be part of their growth; hopefully that will give us a heads-up and a little bit of an investment for the future.”
The danger posed by France won’t, however, be all about physicality.
“Part of it is their athleticism, they have pace and the ability to accelerate into space very quickly and they are all looking for the opportunity to do it at any stage.
“You watch the Scotland game, Scotland turnover a five-metre defensive lineout, they’re leading 14-9 and here is an opportunity for them to maybe get beyond a score but Huget scores a 14-pointer down the other end.
“They will seize any opportunity, I think in the game against England most of us watching thought the game was gone and England were going to beat them in the first round.
“Then they put together some incredible phases and chanced their arm — and I think one of the dangers about the French is that, when they chance their arm, they are such good athletes and they have guys who have such great skills.
“In any of those places, if you don’t wrap them up you can be chasing the next guy who has run a good line off them and the game turns around very quickly.”
But Schmidt rounded off his words of praise for France with a smile — and a word on his Ireland squad.
“We’re aware of how good France are individually across the field, but we’re in a good place and we’re looking forward to it.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
