Injury pile-up will road-test Schmidt’s emergency drill

Joe Schmidt is over three years into his attempt to arm his Ireland squad against the ravages of injury in time for the next World Cup, but the extent of his progress may well be road-tested in Murrayfield this weekend.

CJ Stander has, as expected, emerged as the most significant injury concern from last Saturday’s 32-20 opening Six Nations loss to England with the IRFU confirming that the back row will miss “up to four weeks” with a facial injury.