Donal Lenihan: Having Joe Schmidt pick holes in Ireland's game could be of long-term benefit

Australia's back line can be sublime from broken play with real quality counter attackers while the unexpected inclusion of Joseph Sua’ali’i offers us a first glimpse of the new Aussie wonder kid.

New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt, left, and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell before the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Schmidt factor 

While the importance of these things is often overblown, there’s no doubting Joe Schmidt’s presence in the visitors' coaching box will have an impact on this game. For confirmation of that you only need to look back to last year’s World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.