Joe Schmidt plans for every eventuality

Joe Schmidt has backed Ireland’s “great decision makers” to successfully adapt to whatever conditions or opposition gameplan they face when Wales visit Dublin for this Saturday’s crucial NatWest 6 Nations showdown.

For all the hype surrounding a St Patrick’s Day championship decider with England at Twickenham, this weekend’s reunion with Warren Gatland’s Welsh side represents a considerable challenge to Ireland’s aspirations of regaining a title last won in 2015.

Schmidt’s teams have not beaten Wales since his first season as head coach in 2014, when a 26-3 victory at the Aviva Stadium in round two was one of four wins in the first of back-to-back championships.