Rugby World Cup glory won’t necessarily follow Grand Slam success

Joe Schmidt has warned there is no guarantee his Grand Slam-winning Ireland team can kick on to further success.

With a World Cup looming in Japan, in September, 2019, Ireland’s dominance of northern hemisphere rugby, this season, and elevation to number two in the world rankings, after a 12th successive victory, have marked the national side out as serious contenders for Test rugby’s greatest prize.

Yet, as Schmidt reflected on a third Six Nations title in his five seasons as head coach, and having guided Ireland to a first Grand Slam since 2009, he stressed the fine margins in Test rugby between success and failure.