VIDEO: Schmidt: 'I'm going to get things wrong'

Schmidt on squad selection: "It's a learning experience for me as well. I know I'm going to get a few things wrong."

VIDEO: Schmidt: 'I'm going to get things wrong'

By Grainne McGuinness and Shaun Cronin

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt still has a lot to decide in terms of Ireland's World Cup squad, and the man renowned for his tactical nous admits he fully expects to make mistakes.

Most attention has been focused on the out-half dilemma, and that remained the case in Limerick last night even with two of the contenders absent.

With Ian Keatley preparing for Munster's PRO12 play-off final and Johnny Sexton in action with Racing Metro - Ian Madigan started at 10, before Paddy Jackson got his chance to shine from the bench.

Schmidt explained his reasoning behind starting Madigan.

"Paddy had a six day turnaround, Ian had a longer period of time to prepare," he said in his post-match interview, before adding, "Ian probably needed a little more time at 10".

"He hasn't played it a lot so we wanted to get him in there and slot him in and get him running and moving the team around."

Schmidt felt both players acquitted themselves well, despite the Irish defeat.

"I thought they both did pretty well to be honest, in pretty difficult conditions."

"I thought they both kicked into the touch really well. I guess, we'll have a look back over the footage and have a chat to the two lads and forge ahead from there."

It was suggested that three out-halves could make the tournament squad, particularly with Madigan's experience playing at inside centre with his province.

Schmidt didn’t rule it out, but his answer only serves to highlight the decision making difficulties ahead.

"Is it a 17/14 split? If it is can you take three out halves, and three scrum halves?" he asked in response. "That leaves you quite light elsewhere. We've got a lot of players who are quite versatile in that back five.

"Will that be able to suffice?"

Despite the long build-up to the Autumn tournament Schmidt said that ideally he would have liked more games before selecting his final squad.

"We get quite a good lead into the World Cup but we don't get a great lead into selection decisions for two months time," he said.

"As I say it's a learning experience for me as well.

"I haven't done this before and I know I'm going to get a few things wrong. It is a little inevitable when you first go into something."

"I'm sure you'll throw a few teams into the media over the next few weeks," he said to the assembled reporters, with his tongue firmly in his cheek.

"I'll try to get a look at them and get some guidance!"

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

France v England - Guinness Six Nations - Groupama Stadium Manu Tuilagi calls time on England career with move to French club Bayonne
Leinster Rugby Squad Training Session Boks will relish test against Six Nations champs Ireland, warns Nienaber
Taniela Tupou 9/9/2023 Leinster reportedly make offer for star Wallabies tighthead prop
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited