Schmidt: Ireland learning helpful lessons with World Cup in mind

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admits this two-match tour to Japan is proving hugely beneficial in their preparations for the World Cup.

The stopover in New Jersey for the clash with the USA added a layer of difficulty which they won’t encounter in 2019, but Schmidt believes they are learning valuable lessons ahead of their return to Japan in two years time.

His first priority, though, is to get an inexperienced squad to extend Ireland’s 100% record against Japan to six games tomorrow in a match which will kick off at 2pm (6am Irish time) in muggy, humid conditions.