Schmidt has window of opportunity to increase Ireland’s depth

Coach intends to use contests in run-up to Six Nations to continue to blood young players

Sat, Nov 4, 2017, 06:00

Gerry Thornley

Argentina players celebrate after their third try during a World Cup quarter final victory against Ireland in 2015. Photograph: Franck Fife/Getty/AFP

Argentina players celebrate after their third try during a World Cup quarter final victory against Ireland in 2015. Photograph: Franck Fife/Getty/AFP

Defeats rankle with Joe Schmidt but none of them are on the scale of the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina. Despite a manifest and unnecessary fear of outstaying his welcome in Ireland, it was assuredly one of the primary reasons he opted to extend his stay to the 2019 World Cup. More than anything it’s something he desperately wants to put right.

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