Ireland look to have the right answers for Scots

That Ireland could be crowned Six Nations champions by 7pm this evening will not enter the thinking of anyone inside Joe Schmidt’s bubble as kick-off approaches this afternoon.

A bonus-point win in Dublin over Scotland followed by a favour from the French in Paris to deny any English extras would be one of the ways to secure a third championship title in five seasons on Schmidt’s watch as head coach but it will not concern the man himself nor the players he consistently drives to be the best they can be.

Certainly not captain Rory Best. To get from point A to point C, you have to visit and then successfully negotiate point B and that, right now, is the Scots at 2:15pm. Forget the what ifs at Stade de France, concentrate on delivering your side of the bargain.