Andrew Trimble: Joe Schmidt’s fingerprints all over Andy Farrell’s Ireland

Then Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell, right, watches Joe Schmidt during a 2016 press conference in the Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Andrew Trimble enjoyed his best years on the rugby pitch as a Joe Schmidt player and shared in some of the incredible highs the Ireland team achieved when the New Zealander was head coach of the national side.

So when he hears Schmidt’s name suggested as a potential addition to the All Blacks’ coaching ticket, the former Ulster wing understands why. Trimble also believes the Irish public should hold Schmidt in higher esteem, and that the current success currently being enjoyed by Andy Farrell could not have come to fruition without the foundations laid down by his predecessor.