Schmidt: Embrace great expectations

AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL:

In sharp contrast to the perceived wisdom Ireland rugby teams perform best when they carry the underdogs’ tag, their status as Six Nations champions, conquerors of South Africa and number three-ranked team in the world means the label does not currently apply, even if the final game of the calendar year is against southern hemisphere superpower the Wallabies.

Having selected his strongest team for tomorrow’s third and last Guinness Series Test, welcoming back first-choice hooker Rory Best after injury and partnering Gordon D’Arcy in midfield with rising star Robbie Henshaw, Schmidt will tell his players not to fear the growing belief in them.