ANOTHER WIN TO add to his record as Ireland head coach, but Joe Schmidt won’t be changing anything about his mindset as England loom large on the Six Nations horizon.
Having seen off France with a 18-11 win that left captain Paul O’Connell frustrated, Ireland’s players will swiftly turn their attention to the visit of Stuart Lancaster’s impressive England on 1 March.
Two wins from two so far leave Schmidt and his squad in a fine position to go on and claim a second consecutive championship, but the Kiwi is unsurprisingly not getting carried away.
England ran six tries past Italy yesterday for their second win, while Schmidt also suggests one of Wales and Scotland will come back into title contention after their clash this afternoon [KO 15.00].
“A game against England is our next one and that’s what we’re planning for,” said Schmidt post-match in Dublin last night.
I’ve got too much respect for my old mates Gats [Warren Gatland] and Vern Cotter in Wales and Scotland, and I think that those two going head-to-head, one of those two teams will come back into the competition with a win, and it’s all on again.
“That’s one of the things I think is fantastic about the championship, that it is so tight and so difficult to win, and you can never say that you’ve got your nose in front until you get to that end point.”
Yesterday’s victory over les Bleus marked nine straight wins for Ireland under Schmidt, meaning they near the all-time Irish record of 10 in-a-row. That streak came across 2002 and 2003 during Eddie O’Sullivan’s reign, but Schmidt cares not for records.
“I didn’t know that was a record, but I do know it will be a year since we last lost to England and we’ll be back facing the same foe, and it’s one that I have massive respect for,” said Schmidt.
“They have a really well-balanced team, they are well organised and well coached, and hopefully we can demonstrate a little bit of killer instinct and accuracy to get our noses in front.
“I thought their performance against Wales was probably better than anything we’ve put together so far, so we’re going to have to be better again.”
Captain O’Connell echoed his head coach’s sentiments in looking ahead to the meeting with England in two weekends’ time, pointing to Ireland’s need to improve if they are to beat a rounded English side.
I know the review from this [France] game is going to be quite tough,” outlined O’Connell. “I know it’s great to beat France, but same as when we came out of the autumn internationals, I think there’s a whole lot we need to improve on.
“There’s a whole lot of things that are going to need to be done better to compete against England. To be in the Millenium Stadium and 10 points down, to come back and dominate to the extent they did, it’s one of the best performances I’ve seen in the Six Nations for a long time.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge for us. There’s a lot of things that I’d like us to be doing better and a lot of things I’m sure Joe would like us to be doing better at this stage as well.”
Memories of last year’s 13-10 defeat in Twickenham are still fresh, a rare blemish on Schmidt’s record as Ireland coach and a sharp reminder that O’Connell and co. will need to be at their very best against Lancaster’s troops.
The second row recalls that Ireland “did some great things” during that defeat, but admits Ireland “probably let the momentum slip” with 55 minutes of the fixture gone. Finishing out games strongly remains something O’Connell is desperate for.
Typically of this Ireland group, there is no thought of revenge for last year’s loss to the English. As ever, it’s all about the process.
“It’s not a case of revenge,” said flanker Sean O’Brien. “If you go out looking for revenge, you get bit on the arse. It’s a case of being composed, measured and making sure we have all our detail in place, and that we’re singing off the same hymn sheet.”
Fair play munster that’s a great point in the end
A great, but irrelevant point
We’ll see if its irrelevant in Jan.
It means that Munster need a win instead of a bonus point win against Saracens. Plus a bonus point win against Sale. Plus Saracens get nothing from Claremont. Fabulous.
So not irrelevant then?
Most Munsterish ending ever.
Great bonus point, but hard not to look at the early dominance and missed tries and not think of what might have been….
Serious problems with scrums with Munster and Leinster. Couple of injuries and we are both screwed everythime.
Management in both provinces seems to be way off. Ireland had a terrible run of injuries and still managed both performances and results. The IRFU have their work cut out for them.
Scrummaging in Ireland has forever been average to poor.
Couldn’t agree more. It was too early for Foley to be given such a big job. He has to go.
A step too far today, big ask to get a victory next round but that bonus point is the difference between needing a bonus point win or just a win and give Saracens nothing and take 5 off sale last round.
I don’t know why but I just find Keatley seems to show more consistency and nerve in his kicking playing away from home… Sale game, marseille last year and nailed all of them today.. Great bottle shown in the end there. That point will be absolutely crucial!
Couldn’t agree more, I’ve often defended Keatley and when I do I always reference his performances against the big teams away where he really seems to flourish. Just wish he could do it on a consistent basis and he could really develop into a top player.
Had a good game today, made some good line breaks and nerves of steel at the end to nail that kick.
Just not good enough.
It would appear the RFU and French paymasters will get what they want with a French/Anglo duopoly this year barring a massive turnaround. Praying that any of the three provinces make it through. Rugby has taken a step towards soccer monotony with the largest wage bill winning out 99% of the time.
The Sooper Dooper Cup indeed.
Stereotype much?
Footballs Champions League has yet to be retained by any team , Man City the team with the highest wage bill hasn’t come within an asses roar of winning it.
Conway and Jones not good enough. JJ showed what he can do. Better not lose him.
Another defeat. Long trip home for the thousands of disappointed Munster fans. To the brave and faithful nothing is impossible – except beating Clermont either home or away.
We have beaten Clermont at home. TWICE. Get your facts right, Robson.
Robson, Munster lost away to a top class European side a week ago we lost to a average English one.
As a Leinster fan I’d be a little happier in Munster shoes than ours at the minute.
Pity they weren’t playing a piss poor bayonne team in a nothing competition hey knobson. Suppose ur alter ego paul sheehan will be on here supporting you in the minute.
Well done Munster got a point out of nothing injuries really hurt them today!
Well robsonkeane at least the supporters in France are true sporting fans your just a little bitter limerick man who clams to be a Connacth ” fan ” yet I doubt you have ever been to a Connacth game.
You get your rocks off trolling every Munster story with your fellow deluded Waterford buddy.
Eamonn no need drag Connacth into it. Robson is from limerick he’s a Munster man born and breed .
He’s just a bitter little troll
Robson, your clearly not enough into rugby to know the fact that Munster have beaten Clermont at home before,your also clearly a dope who gets his kicks by showing the world just how much of a dope you are…kinda pity you really.
Chris, I think Foley and Matt O Connor seem to have similar game plan that just does not work with any team with a bit of running ability and a reasonably good set piece.
Robson, go play with the traffic.
That’s a good lad
Your from limerick Robson that’s well know on here !
And ya I’ll be at the game I live in Galway. Ya your such a die hard Connacth fan you had time a few weeks ago too troll a Munster thread on here while Munster and Connacth had games on at the same time .
You spoofer robsonkeane!
A Munster fan from Connacht? Go and support your local team pal. I’ll meet you in Oranmore some night in my local.
I live and work in Galway I’m 100% Munster kid.
Next time I’m in keans or the brewery I’ll look out for the lad on his iPhone with the Connacth shirt and limerick accent
Robson is a United fan.
Read the United V Liverpool thread. He is a United fan.
Robson, since when is Manchester United your local team ? Ya tool.
Munster were awful.. Living on past glories for far to long .. No penetration whatsoever.
Just not good enough, flaws were exposed last week and the same mistakes were present again.today. Foley has to go. Great player in his day but he hasn’t got a f***** clue about the management side of the game.
What do you expect when he hired mick o Driscoll as the skills coach !
Is being able to block a jacks considered to be a skill now?????
Why the red thumbs? Either justify the level of performance today with a comment or f**[ off.
Lets put it this way. Do people think Munster have progressed or regressed since last season ?
Ya same mistakes repeat but not a many as last week.
The players out injured is a big problem bar Copland there was no one to bring on.
But Munster are not at the level of the French super teams money talks in the top14 .
Munster and can give them a scare when there at there best but until Irish teams have the funds to bring in top player’s it’s going to be hard going.
it’s way too early to be calling for Foleys head .
Im not calling for his head. I believe he has to be given time. And as you said, trying to compete with these mega rich French clubs is practically impossible. I simply asked the question to gauge opinion.
Keatley was our hero and villain today, his kicking from hand in the first half put us under huge pressure allowing the opposition to run back at us. No more so than before half time that kick should have been in the stand instead quick line out and boom nail in coffin time. Some balls to get the last one though!
I’m not giving up on Munster yet. Great bonus point today against the potential champions. Beat Sarries away and it’s all down to last home game against Sale where we need 4 tries. Read your history books. It’s not impossible.
No need to be ratty, Sean Pol O’Finn. Take your defeat and deal with it. I’m Connacht born and bred. I’ll see you at the match in a few weeks – that’s if you actually go to games like me. Ye will still get out of this group. Saracens are not up to much.
Ah yes, those well known pauper underdogs Real Madrid who have the 2nd highest wage bill in football won it this year Eamon, my bad.
The way pro Football is run is clearly a socialists wet dream that rugby should aspire to.
Come on now lads – you all know more than this. It’s away to Saracens next, so that bonus point was irrelevant. And you all know that you know that. Great game nonetheless.
Its true. Munster have absolutely no history of going to England and winning against the odds…..
Clermont very, very sloppy in both games in terms of letting Munster off the hook. They probably didn’t deserve anything from the game in Thomond, definitely didn’t deserve anything from this game, but Clermont go miles in front, chasing a bonus point win and give Munster a very cheap 10 points.
That losing bonus point could be the difference at the end of the groups. If they didn’t get it they were out, but now still very doable. Beat Saracens away (who are in an awful run of form) and hammer a disinterested Sale at home and I reckon they’re through.
Much better level of rugby in Clermont then the game last night in Lansdowne Rd.
Great result for Connacht yesterday. Please God they can keep the performances coming.