Joe Schmidt confirms Seán O’Brien will be fit to play France

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt began the press conference – only his second media appearance since the 43-20 to Argentina last October – with a positive spin.

Understandably.

Seán O'Brien will be fit for Paris next weekend Schmidt assured the media gallery. Just not in time for Wales. So, as even Schmidt conceded, O'Brien's return might prove too late to salvage the Six Nations title Ireland will endeavour to defend on Sunday against this powerful Wales unit.

“Seán would be just on the edge to be available to play,” Schmidt began. “We have no concerns about next week but we just felt if the same thing happened that happened against Italy last year – where we had to pull him at the very last second – it was quite unsettling. Tommy O’Donnell came in and did a great job in that match.

“We decided to give ourselves some certainty and give Seán the opportunity to train fully next week.

“Hopefully there is still a fair bit to play for at this stage.”

Hope is in short supply though.

Rob Kearney might train next Thursday after suffering a "very minor strain" in a hamstring.

“For Rob there is no tear but discomfort that would signal it is a risk to push him along,” Schmidt explained.

Simon Zebo has featured at fullback for Ireland as recently as the Italy game at the World Cup.

When asked about the confidence levels within the group, cocooned from actual public opinion in Carton House, Schmidt turned to his vice-captain Jamie Heaslip.

“After Joe speaks we are left to our own devices,” said Heaslip, who wins his 81st cap on Sunday. “We talked among ourselves. I won’t tell you exactly what we was said between the players but we are in a very good mind space.

“We know exactly what we have to do . . . it’s Test match rugby, it is a test, it’s the team that makes the least amount of mistakes is going to win. If we execute we are giving ourselves a good shot at it.”

Are Wales beatable, Joe?

“Every team is beatable but you’ve got to be right on the money.

“One of the things Wales want you to do is play at them a fair bit because the biggest thing they back is their defence and their ability to deliver that line speed. That size and strength they bring forward at you is attritional. We got to be smart about how we play the game.

“Hopefully we can adapt to the conditions.”

The conditions are damp, the general mood damper. Up and under we go.