Rob Kearney: Joe Schmidt’s done a huge amount for me

It was clearly said in jest, but it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine a few political parties’ antennae quivering at Rob Kearney’s assessment of the current Ireland coach.

Sport and politics are hardly unfamiliar bedfellows and in the vote-getting competition there could perhaps be no better platform for a campaign manager to build on than a candidate on a hot streak and a reputation for scrupulous detail.

“It’s no secret how good he is as a coach,” Kearney said of Joe Schmidt.