Ireland plan to try and try again

It was Robert Burns, that most famous of Scots, who wrote: “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men, Gang aft agley,” signposting the futility of formulating detailed plans when there is no certainty of the ability to execute them.

Ireland’s track record under Joe Schmidt is such that his meticulously constructed schemes do not often go awry but a week on from that defeat to Wales, Burns’ words of caution circle the national side as they head to Murrayfield for today’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Scotland.