VIDEO: Result the only thing that matters to Joe Schmidt

It may still be a World Cup pool game but for Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, tomorrow’s showdown with Italy effectively marks the start of the knockout stages.

Head coach Schmidt said yesterday he will settle for a narrow win over Italy, insisting all that matters is a victory at the Olympic Stadium and guaranteed progress to the World Cup quarter-finals.

A win over an Italian outfit which will be led for the first time in this tournament by a fit-again Sergio Parisse would also send the Azzurri packing, leaving Ireland and France tofight it out in eight days time to finish top of Pool D.