Players are confident of changing fortunes, says Richie Murphy

Ireland’s Six Nations title defence may be over but that will not stop Joe Schmidt and his coaches from trying to squeeze as much as they can from the final two games of the championship this month.

Defeat to England at Twickenham last Saturday marked head coach Schmidt’s first back-to-back losses in the championship since he succeeded Declan Kidney after a dismal 2013 Six Nations campaign.

After an opening draw with Wales and round-two defeat in Paris to France, it also means Ireland are winless after three games as they head towards Aviva Stadium dates with Italy and Scotland on March 12 and 19 respectively.