Joe Schmidt must now turn focus to finalising his starting side

For all the trials and tribulations Joe Schmidt experienced in narrowing his World Cup squad down to the requisite 31, at least we have a good idea who will be in his starting XV.

The same cannot be said for his opposite number in the England camp.

Having kept his cards close to his chest right up until yesterday’s World Rugby deadline to submit the squads for the tournament starting 18 days from now, Schmidt will today make public his full deck. As a coach who lives and thinks forever in the present, however, his more pressing task will be to finalise the starting XV he sends into Twickenham this Saturday for Ireland’s final warm-up against competition hosts England.