‘Class is permanent’ — Schmidt backs half-back axis

Joe Schmidt is backing Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton to shake off the rust and to be the ‘competitive animals’ Ireland need to face down Scotland at Murrayfield tomorrow.

Scrum-half Murray and fly-half Sexton, widely regarded as the best half-back pairing in world rugby, were well below par last Saturday as Ireland stuttered against a rampant England side but head coach Schmidt had no hesitation retaining the pair for the Guinness Six Nations clash his side needs to win to keep their title defence alive.