Devil is in the detail: The truth about Joe Schmidt

Ireland may not have the best talent in the Rugby World Cup but there is a belief that in Joe Schmidt, they have the best coach...

To appreciate just how far Ireland have come under Joe Schmidt, cast your mind to where the team were 30 months ago. Italy and Scotland had both beaten them. England had too, in the Aviva. Sure, Declan Kidney’s last Six Nations campaign had been plagued by injuries to key players. But then look at who his successor had to deal without for the second half of last week’s win against France.

No Brian O’Driscoll, or his usual partner in the centre, Gordon D’Arcy. No Jared Payne there either.