Joe Schmidt would settle for top-half 6 Nations finish

Joe Schmidt will dare to dream about Ireland winning an historic third RBS 6 Nations title in a row, but the realist in the head coach makes him consider a top-three finish a successful championship.

The retirement of talismanic captain Paul O’Connell and injuries to frontline front-rowers Cian Healy and Mike Ross for at least the Six Nations opening game at home to Wales means Schmidt may field a makeshift front five to face what he declared world rugby’s biggest Test team at the Aviva Stadium on February 7.

Throw in a trip to Paris to face France six days later and then England at Twickenham in round three and the Ireland boss can see a scenario where his side could have their backs against the wall at the halfway stage of the tournament.