Joe Schmidt is everywhere except front and centre

Schmidt has avoided all dealings with the media since being co-opted onto Ian Foster’s management team. It has fallen to others to speak for, and about, him on weeks like this.

JOE SHOW: Former Ireland head coach - and now New Zealand assistant coach - Joe Schmidt.

Joe Schmidt’s influence is all over the New Zealand team that will meet Ireland in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final. It’s there to be seen in every game they have played in the last year and every time the doors to training are opened for the media.

The former Ireland head coach covered a significant amount of ground at Tuesday's practice in the Bois de Vincennes, overseeing a ruck drill in one half of the pitch one minute and then migrating towards one goalline area to take in another drill shortly after.