NUMBER CRUNCH: Do the stats back Ireland's scrum-half decision?

All the signs have been there: the pre-tournament contract extension, the ominous warm-up performances, the stalled momentum…

Is Joe Schmidt going to follow in the footsteps of Kidney and O’Sullivan, and every other Ireland World Cup squad since 1987, in failing to make the semis?

Not alone that, have we witnessed the Joe Schmidt paradox, a risk-averse brand of rugby but a risk-taking squad selection?