Fiji a tricky test for Joe Schmidt’s rookies

Joe Schmidt knows the risks he is taking by selecting such an inexperienced side to face Fiji this evening but if it means Ireland are better prepared at the 2019 World Cup then the end will have justified the means.

Over the past few seasons, this midway staging post in the Guinness Series has provided some calm between two storms provided by Tier One visitors to the Aviva Stadium. Three years ago it was Georgia that provided the cannon fodder for the head coach’s second string, 49-7 lambs to the slaughter, while 12 months ago it was Canada, recipients of a 52-21 drubbing as Ireland drew breath between dates with the All Blacks.

Back in 2012, Declan Kidney’s Ireland XV hammered Fiji 53-0 at Thomond Park in a non-Test international taken to Limerick due to the expectation of low ticket sales.