Schmidt focuses on southern scalp

Joe Schmidt would "love" to claim at least one southern hemisphere scalp when South Africa and Australia visit Dublin next month for Ireland’s autumn Guinness Series.

The Ireland head coach has named a 37-man squad for the three Tests at the Aviva Stadium which begins against the Springboks on Saturday, November 8, takes in Georgia a week later and concludes against the Wallabies on November 22.

Schmidt’s first season in charge, having succeeded Declan Kidney in April 2013, ended in glory with the RBS 6 Nations title but it began shakily with a home defeat to Australia followed by a heartbreaking last-minute defeat to New Zealand, and with the 2015 World Cup now less than a year away, a victory over a southern hemisphere big gun would be a huge psychological boost for his players.