Dampening expectation is one of Joe Schmidt's most constant themes but after the 18-11 victory over France set up a Six Nations Anglo-Irish summit meeting in a fortnight, even he might find that nigh on impossible.
Admittedly one sobering piece of news is expected to be delivered today after it transpired that Jamie Heaslip has suffered three cracked vertebrae as a result of Pascal Papé kneeing him in the back. This is expected to sideline the Irish number eight for four weeks, thus casting severe doubt as to whether he will play in this season's Six Nations again.
Euphoria
Prior to learning of this, when Schmidt was informed that even Brian O’Driscoll had been swept up in the post-match euphoria – the former captain tweeting that there was a Grand Slam in this team – the coach chuckled wryly and said: “That’s great of Drico.”
That said, he understood the magnitude of the occasion as well as the task ahead. “I think we have three incredibly tough games left, we get to play at home against England and that is monumental still for us. To be honest, a Slam that’s for later on because I think it could all come undone right here.
“We have managed to build a bit of a home record,” he added, in reference to a seventh successive home victory, “and I know the players take incredible pride playing here at the Aviva and we have had fantastic support. I know myself I have had a number of people trying to put pressure on me to see if I can find England tickets for them. It has been sold out for a long time, it is going to be a massive occasion and we won’t be looking past that.”
England’s 47-17 win over Italy backed up an impressive win away to Wales which Schmidt admitted was superior to either of Ireland’s displays, when recovering from 10-0 to win despite, he reckoned, having one try unfairly ruled out and leaving another couple behind.
“They put a lot of pressure on Wales. I think Wales are a very good side and for a side to do that they have to be doing something pretty well.”
Schmidt was “hugely proud” of Ireland’s defensive effort in Saturday’s endgame, and other aspects of the performance, such as their kick-off strategy and set-pieces, but was evidently frustrated with Wayne Barnes’ refereeing of the breakdown and the scrum.
“The players felt a lot of frustration around the back of our ruck, trying to make sure those players were clear and out of the way, because it is something that the referees have been very strict on. We have to take as much care of that as we possibly can and that will be something we will be working on in the lead-up to England.
“We’d contest a number of those scrum penalties,” he also said, adding: “To have 15 first-half penalties, nine against France and six against us, that was around about what you have in a whole game. We’re averaging seven penalties a game, so that was really disappointing for us. I felt we were certainly trying to make the effort to avoid that. So, we certainly weren’t happy with that aspect of our game and we’ll be working hard at that over the couple of days that we’re in Galway,” he said in reference to the two-day get-together this week.
Despite such a bruising affair against the abrasive French, the only concern was Jamie Heaslip due to the aftereffects of a knee in the back from Pascal Papé, who may well be cited despite his yellow card.
As promised, the French and especially Mathieu Bastareaud sought Johnny Sexton here, there and everywhere. All eyes were on the returning Ireland outhalf, all the more so when he stood the France centre up in the tackle for a reassuring turnover in the eighth minute, and then re-emerged from a sickening clash of heads in the second half with the same player which required “six or seven” stitches.
“He did a head injury assessment to be absolutely, 100 per cent sure and he was showing no signs of concussion but they did it as a precaution and he was absolutely fine,” said Schmidt.
Asked if he considered replacing Sexton, an exasperated Schmidt said: “If I can say it any more plainly, that Johnny is fine . . . We have absolute faith in our medical people, we rely on them and not someone external who decides that they’re going to voice an opinion and then be given a platform to voice it . . . ” he said in reference to the claims by Laurent Bénézech that playing Sexton was a big mistake.
Sexton’s polished performance confirmed his status as not only the best outhalf in Ireland but probably anywhere. He had been aware of the fuss made of his return.
“Joe had a word with me yesterday, that he couldn’t really believe it. I had been out of the game for 12 weeks. One guy says that I shouldn’t play because Bastareaud is playing? Like, well then I can never play because next week I’m going to have to play against Fritz Lee. The week after I’ll have to play against Luther Burell and (Billy) Vunipola.”
"It's absolute stupidity to say I shouldn't play because Bastareaud was playing. Joe Schmidt gets told by the doctors who is fit and who's not and I don't know why he got brought into it by this fella who seems to have an opinion on everything."
