Advertisement

Joe Schmidt says Ireland have Six Nations title in their own hands

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said that, with Wales up next, his side could not afford to look to their final game against England just yet.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said that, with Wales up next, his side could not afford to look to their final game against England just yet. Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

Ireland remain in contention for their third Six Nations title in four years after coming from behind to defeat France in Dublin. Their final match is at home to England but their coach, Joe Schmidt, is looking no further than their next game in Cardiff a week on Friday against a Wales side whose championship dream turned into a nightmare in Edinburgh.

If England win with bonus points against Italy on Sunday and Scotland in the next round, they would travel to Dublin on the final day of the tournament still needing something from the game if Ireland defeat Wales.

“We have not done the maths for the title, but the England game would clearly have less appeal for us if we fail to win in Cardiff,” Schmidt said. “Wales may have lost to Scotland on the scoreboard, but they had two disallowed tries and for a lot of the game looked as if they were in control.

“They will be disappointed and determined against us. You do not go to their stadium and get anything easily because they take pride in delivering there and they have super players who make it difficult for teams.

“Our destiny is in our own hands and what we have seen so far is how superb the championship is – it’s a tournament that always keeps you on the edge of your seat.”

The Lions’ fly-half Johnny Sexton returned from injury to mastermind Ireland’s victory, creating the position for their try and kicking 11 points before being replaced 11 minutes from the end.

“Johnny operated really well in tough conditions,” Schmidt said. “He varied the game so we could get them chasing it and he did it superbly.

“It was a comeback based on experience and he is someone with a competitive edge who wants to be the best all the time. Everyone has the utmost confidence in him.”

Ireland’s try scorer, Conor Murray, paid tribute to his forwards. “They won us the game against a France side that were as competitive as we knew they would be,” said the Lions’ scrum-half, who was the man of the match. “We said at the start of the week that we wanted to make sure we were still in the hunt for the title at the end of the match and we are.”