The Ireland head coach will move swiftly on to further preparation for the Six Nations meeting with Italy in a week’s time, but any defeat for a team wearing green is not part of the Schmidt blueprint.
What was a highly-anticipated encounter in Cork ultimately turned out to be majorly disappointing in terms of spectacle, even if there were a number of English players who will feel they got full value from the opportunity to impress the watching Stuart Lancaster.
The same cannot be said for the every one of the Wolfhounds side, a shame after Schmidt asked the players to force his hand selection-wise for the Italy encounter.
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Sean O’Brien, Dominic Ryan and Iain Henderson were standouts, but those bruisers aside, Schmidt and his coaching team will have been looking for more.
“I think they were just disappointed,” said Robbie Diack post-match, having come off the bench for the concussed Mike McCarthy just before half time.
We wanted to start off this campaign leading into the Six Nations with a win. That would have given us confidence and momentum going forward, but I suppose this gives us a whole lot to work on.”
The Wolfhounds rarely looked like a team that had spent any more than two days together, struggling for cohesion in attack and lacking connection at crucial moments defensively.
“Our continuity let us down in the second half,” admitted Diack. “We built three or four phases and then unfortunately lost the ball. We didn’t allow ourselves to put pressure on them and that’s what let us down.”
Diack showed his worth as second row cover for Ireland. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Diack himself managed to impress over the course of 40 minutes in the second row, despite having played the majority his recent rugby in the back row with Ulster and Ireland.
His versatility may be an aid as Schmidt gets set to reduce the size of his squad heading into the Six Nations. A wrist injury to Dave Foley and now doubt around McCarthy means Diack’s ability to play at lock may come in useful.
I suppose the fact that I can cover both is good for myself. I think it gives me more opportunities to be involved in squad environments and, hopefully, team environments in the near future.
“I think if I can play well in both positions, cover six, five or even eight, where I played against Georgia, it gives me that opportunity. It shows Joe that versatility.”
Like others, Diack was unsure of his standing last night. A nervy 24 hours lies ahead.
“It’ll be a busy week this week, depending on who’s called back into the squad. I’m hoping I will be, then it’s about getting the head down.”
Wolfhounds disappoint to get Ireland's 2015 off to a losing start
IN JOE SCHMIDT’S world, even an arguably meaningless result like last night’s 18-9 defeat for the Wolfhounds against the Saxons is unwelcome.
The Ireland head coach will move swiftly on to further preparation for the Six Nations meeting with Italy in a week’s time, but any defeat for a team wearing green is not part of the Schmidt blueprint.
What was a highly-anticipated encounter in Cork ultimately turned out to be majorly disappointing in terms of spectacle, even if there were a number of English players who will feel they got full value from the opportunity to impress the watching Stuart Lancaster.
The same cannot be said for the every one of the Wolfhounds side, a shame after Schmidt asked the players to force his hand selection-wise for the Italy encounter.
Sean O’Brien, Dominic Ryan and Iain Henderson were standouts, but those bruisers aside, Schmidt and his coaching team will have been looking for more.
“I think they were just disappointed,” said Robbie Diack post-match, having come off the bench for the concussed Mike McCarthy just before half time.
The Wolfhounds rarely looked like a team that had spent any more than two days together, struggling for cohesion in attack and lacking connection at crucial moments defensively.
“Our continuity let us down in the second half,” admitted Diack. “We built three or four phases and then unfortunately lost the ball. We didn’t allow ourselves to put pressure on them and that’s what let us down.”
Diack himself managed to impress over the course of 40 minutes in the second row, despite having played the majority his recent rugby in the back row with Ulster and Ireland.
His versatility may be an aid as Schmidt gets set to reduce the size of his squad heading into the Six Nations. A wrist injury to Dave Foley and now doubt around McCarthy means Diack’s ability to play at lock may come in useful.
“I think if I can play well in both positions, cover six, five or even eight, where I played against Georgia, it gives me that opportunity. It shows Joe that versatility.”
Like others, Diack was unsure of his standing last night. A nervy 24 hours lies ahead.
“It’ll be a busy week this week, depending on who’s called back into the squad. I’m hoping I will be, then it’s about getting the head down.”
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