Wary Schmidt is leaving nothing to chance against Wales with unchanged team

Ireland, their Six Nations hopes still alive, will enter the white heat of a Friday night appointment at the Principality Stadium with head coach Joe Schmidt trusting his leaders in an unchanged team to keep emotions in check on what promises to be another high-octane showdown with Wales.

Emotions always run high in Cardiff, with the home supporters creating an unbelievable din to provide the best theatre of the Championship, year in, year out. Add in some tough times for the Welsh following two losses, including a home defeat to England, that means they are desperate for a win to preserve their top-eight status in the world rankings ahead of the 2019 World Cup draw and the pressure is being heaped onto Rob Howley’s side to produce a winning show in this penultimate round clash.

With a home team being asked for a reaction following their lacklustre defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield 12 days ago, Schmidt knows tomorrow’s game is more than just an obstacle on the road to a potential title decider with the English in Dublin on March 18.