Joe Schmidt: This week more about finishing on a high than stopping Wales

Joe Schmidt insists Ireland’s mission in Cardiff this Saturday has nothing to do with stopping Wales land the Grand Slam and is all about Ireland finishing their own Guinness Six Nations campaign on a high with the World Cup on the horizon.

Ireland’s bonus-point 26-14 victory over France in Dublin yesterday means Schmidt’s side are still in with a chance of retaining the championship title they won with a Grand Slam of their own at Twickenham 12 months ago. They currently sit third in the table, a point behind England and two off table-topping Wales going into the final round. So they will need not only to stop the Welsh on their own ground at the Principality Stadium this weekend but also rely on Scotland to turn the tables and upset England at Twickenham.