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Ireland target top two in what may be most competitive Six Nations yet

Joe Schmidt is hopeful his key players can stay injury-free in the 2017 championship.

WHILE IT’S ENGLAND who bring a winning streak of 14 games into the Six Nations, Joe Schmidt’s Ireland seemed to be talk of the town at the 2017 tournament launch in London yesterday.

Beating the All Blacks counts for an awful lot in this part of the world.

Joe Schmidt and Rory Best Joe Schmidt and Rory Best at yesterday's Six Nations launch. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Eddie Jones said Ireland have “set world rugby upside down” with their achievements in November, while Scotland boss Vern Cotter said “Joe is leading the way with Ireland” in terms of the rise of Northern Hemisphere rugby.

Cotter, whose side host Ireland in Murrayfield on the first weekend of the championship, went on to state his belief that 2017 could see his old mate from Clermont guide Ireland to their third title in four years.

“I’m sure VC said that,” said Schmidt with a laugh when informed. “A little more expectation on my shoulders and a little off his shoulders maybe. He has got bigger shoulders than I have!”

Schmidt has always been keen to manage expectations in Ireland and he has largely set realistic Six Nations targets for his team.

In 2014, the head coach spoke of a top-two finish and Ireland won the Six Nations. The same occurred in 2015. Last year, Schmidt said a top-three finish would be acceptable and Ireland duly came in third.

So what of 2017?

“The last three years I kind of had to put the pin in the wall and make a marker and I think I said in the first two years that a top-two finish would be something I would be really happy with.

“Last year, just on the back of losing so much experience and so much ability through injury, it was a bit of a rebuilding time for us. I think we built not too badly.

“I think it is going to be more competitive than ever [this year], but again it would be great if we could get a top-two finish.”

Guilhem Guirado, Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Sergio Parisse, Alun Wyn Jones and Greig Laidlaw The Six Nations captains at yesterday's launch. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Schmidt follows up by stressing the quality of the opposition in this year’s competition. He mentions the “incredibly tough” England, speaks of Guy Novès’ conviction that France are rising, and says Wales are a “sleeping giant”.

Scotland now have crucial strength in depth, according to Schmidt, while he points to Italy’s win over South Africa in November as proof of their growth under Irishman Conor O’Shea.

Ireland are available at 9/4 to win the Six Nations with many bookmakers, England remaining the favourites, but Schmidt points out that the shortening of his team’s odds this season doesn’t necessarily mean much.

“The bookies had us 13/1 against the All Blacks, so I am not saying they get it wrong all the time, but that’s a long way wrong,” said Schmidt.

“I am sure our odds would have shortened as compared to last year because I think there has been some visible growth in the team and we have tried to expand the depth.

“You know, nothing protects you from injuries to key players. That could still happen and derail you a bit, but hopefully we will be as well prepared as we can be.”

With key players in mind, the latest issue with Johnny Sexton’s fitness must have been particularly unwelcome for Schmidt.

The Leinster out-half limped off in the first half of Leinster’s draw in Castres last weekend and again approaches a Test window with doubts surrounding him.

Back in November it was a hamstring problem, and Sexton ended the series with an injury in his other hamstring issue. Last summer, he missed the tour to South Africa due to the need for shoulder surgery. Now, it’s said to be a tight calf.

Johnny Sexton Sexton is on the way back from a calf issue. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Schmidt stated his confidence that Sexton will be ready for Murrayfield, and said the out-half may duck into the Santry Sports Clinic for a top-up of his rehab in between Ireland training this week.

Sexton had only played twice after recovering from his hamstring injury, before the calf issue struck, meaning he does not have a huge amount of rugby under his belt ahead of the Six Nations.

“He tends to be a player who plays quite well fresh,” said Schmidt in that regard. “There are some players that need to get a real rhythm but I’ve been working with Johnny for almost seven years and in that time I’ve found him really quick to be match-ready.”

While the hope is that Sexton is fit to play next week, Schmidt did point out that Ireland have a capable replacement in the event that the Leinster man is not.

“At the same time, Paddy Jackson has become a key player for us,” said Schmidt. “He has played a lot more Test rugby than Johnny at number 10 in the last seven Test matches, so with Paddy there he slots in.

“Paddy is very calm, he does his homework, he’s always well prepared, so we feel that the bases are reasonably well recovered. If Johnny comes in and trains next week it’s almost an advantage for Paddy that he gets in the saddle this week and can run the show.”

Jackson’s increased experience is in part down to the injury problems Sexton has suffered in recent seasons, but Schmidt also believes that players like the Ulsterman represent the regeneration of this Ireland squad.

The 2016 Six Nations was seen as a transitional one for Ireland in many quarters, and while Schmidt doesn’t agree with that tag – “I think you are always in transition” – he does stress agree this squad has undergone some change in the 18 months or so.

“When you don’t have your talisman Paul O’Connell, when Peter O’Mahony’s out, when you don’t have Mike Ross – as important as he was to us then…

Joe Schmidt Schmidt is looking for a third Six Nations title in four years. Colm O'Neill / INPHO Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO

“People have said, ‘Ah, Tadhg Furlong, he’s developed overnight into this great player.’

“Tadhg Furlong was at the World Cup with us. Tadhg has been learning his craft right through that. He was in South Africa in the second Test and had a fantastic day in the scrum.

“The next Test he came off the bench and was under massive pressure. You don’t suddenly learn and then tick a box and say, ‘That’s done forever’. It’s like any skill; if you leave it alone for a little while, you’ve got to pick it up and get it back into the rhythm again.

“For us, with our transition, there’s a number of players – half of this squad of 40 players [for the 2017 Six Nations] – have got less than 10 caps.

“So, we still don’t have a massive amount of experience but I think we’re growing and I suppose we’ll measure the growth a little bit at the end of the Six Nations and beyond that because we know that you’ve got to keep going in a really positive direction.

“Because everyone’s trying to build a stronger, deeper, more competitive group.”

– An earlier version of this piece incorrectly referred to Scotland coach Joe Cotter; the Scotland coach is Vern Cotter.

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    Mute Mr. Common Sense
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    Jan 26th 2017, 7:47 AM

    I guess Joe is playing the media game. We all know that his he wants to win the slam, no point in heaping pressure on his team and helping to motivate the opposition. As always in Joe we Trust.

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    Mute Conor Paddington
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    Jan 26th 2017, 5:17 PM

    Yeah, this is just Joe talk. He’s very laid back with the media. If rumours are to be believed, he takes a very, very different tone with players. Absolute task master.

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    Mute Jamie Concannon
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    Jan 26th 2017, 9:30 AM

    As long as Sean O’Brien knocks the bejaysus out of Dylan Hartley I’m happy out.

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    Mute Mark Symmons
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    Jan 26th 2017, 9:37 AM

    That will be the last thing on his mind Jamie

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Jan 26th 2017, 10:00 AM

    I hope Sean does a little more than that if he plays.

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    Mute Jamie Concannon
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    Jan 26th 2017, 10:42 AM

    Thought it would be obvious that I’m only messing. He’s clearly not that kind of player, anyone who has watched his career knows that he’s perfectly capable of knocking the bejaysus out of the opposition in a 100% legal way.

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    Mute Bazalicous Dunne
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    Jan 26th 2017, 4:49 PM

    Jesus lads he’s only messing. Christ

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    Mute Eoru80
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    Jan 26th 2017, 11:57 AM

    Can’t wait for this to start. The test in Murrayfield could be one of the trickier affairs on day 1. Losing Nel and Dickinson from their front row should potentially favour our front row over theirs, but their young lads fronted up well over 3 decent tests in the Autumn internationals against Oz, Argentina and Georgia. They have a decent 2nd row, half backs, centres and back line and would say both teams are on par there, with Scotland boasting the best full back in the NH. Our back row should be better than theirs. They also seem to have reasonable strength in depth, perhaps not to the same degree that we have. Russell and Hogg being perhaps the 2 irreplaceables in the first team. I’d just be wary playing a Scottish team away who’ve also shown that they can mix it up with the SH teams of late. Ireland should beat them, but couldn’t be chalking it down as a banker. Helps the cause having France and England at home. Be interesting to see how England fair with injuries to their looseheads, and vunipola and Robshaw in their backrow. No doubt they have the strength in depth to not feel the pinch too badly. France should be improved as Noves puts his stamp down, Fofana being a huge loss though. Wales looked a rabble in the Autumn and its hard to know what to expect with Howley leading them into the 6 nations. Could go either way for them. Playing Italy away from home the first day could be a big test for them. And it will be interesting to see what sort of performances O’Shea can conjure up out of the Italian setup. And what sort of a look will the bonus points give to the table. Gonna be an intriguing comp this year, and hopefully a great 1

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    Mute Paul
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:09 PM

    Anyone else just read the first two lines and give it a green thumb.

    If u want to write a book do it elsewhere.

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    Mute Eoru80
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:44 PM

    Fair enough Paul, sorry about that. Didn’t mean to get on those little tittys of yours. I won’t let it happen again.

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    Mute filthypete
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    Jan 26th 2017, 8:07 PM

    I stopped reading at Paul.

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    Mute BMJF
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    Jan 26th 2017, 9:48 PM

    You don’t read many books then?

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    Mute Rab Catherwood
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    Jan 27th 2017, 12:41 AM

    Dick

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    Mute GunsGerms
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    Jan 26th 2017, 9:59 AM

    The Scotland boss’ name is Vern Cotter rather than Joe Cotter

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    Mute Mark Symmons
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    Jan 26th 2017, 11:44 AM

    @GunsGerms:@GunsGerms: I love his version of ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’

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    Mute rowan hill
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    Jan 26th 2017, 7:17 AM

    It’s ours to lose ,I won’t be happy finishing second ,I want tat feckin GRAND SLAM

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    Mute BMJF
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    Jan 26th 2017, 9:44 PM

    England definitely ahead of us right now…power, pace that at their best we’ll be hard pressed to match. Ironically NZ are a better team for us to play than Eng as if we have an Achilles heel sometimes it’s competing against enormous brute force with pace. Brute force and slow like France have specialised in we cope with but not when you add speed to the power. England will look to bully us. It being the last game will help as we can finish the game in pieces!!

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    Mute David
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    Jan 26th 2017, 7:03 AM

    Bollocks to that. Aim for top spot. Anything else is a disappointment.

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    Mute Bleep12345
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    Jan 26th 2017, 7:09 AM

    It should be about triple crowns, grand slams and winning the championship. Anything else is irrelevant

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    Mute Glenbower
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    Jan 26th 2017, 11:51 AM

    As long as we play interesting rugby and get closer to sorting out a 2019 RWC-winning squad, I could tolerate 4 wins and a defeat to Italy.

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    Mute Glenbower
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    Jan 26th 2017, 11:54 AM

    @Glenbower: Also, if the players – esp the fringe players – clearly become better players when they return to their provinces.

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    Mute David Carolan
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    Jan 26th 2017, 9:55 AM

    We will win the lot

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    Mute BMJF
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    Jan 26th 2017, 9:45 PM

    Christ beware the Scots at home and first game! I’ll be a relieved man if we can just come outta their with the win…build from there

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Jan 26th 2017, 7:03 PM

    “top-two finish” A here if your not aiming to win it forget it…..

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Jan 26th 2017, 7:22 PM

    To the media, Kerry. To the media. You can be damn sure he’s aiming for top spot in the dressing room with the players.

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