Henshaw hits new heights in sealing epic Ireland win

Inside Track with John McIntyre

AT this rate of going, Joe Schmidt will be canonised by his adopted country sooner rather than later. Having guided Ireland to the Six Nations title last Spring thanks to a magnificent away win over France in Paris –  still a rare enough phenomenon – the popular New Zealander continues to raise the bar and improve the performances of the men in green.

On a record-equalling ten match international test unbeaten run, Ireland moved a critical step close to only the country’s third ever Grand Slam when comfortably getting the better of England at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. It was another huge statement of intent by the home team whose latest victory had Schmidt’s finger prints again written all over it.

In Northern Hemisphere rugby, there is currently no better organised or structured side than Ireland. Schmidt’s attention to detail is legendary and, once again, Paul O’Connell and his team-mates were so well organised, with seemingly a game plan to cover virtually every scenario. From Johnny Sexton’s precise kick-offs to the terrific clearing out at the breakdown, each Irish player knew his job and what was expected of him.

At times, it doesn’t make for attractive viewing due to the concentration on the successful kick and chase strategy, but Ireland have patented a successful brand of rugby under Schmidt’s tutelage and though they face a difficult trip to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday week for their high stakes encounter against the revitalised Welsh, this is a contest that the Irish will still expect to win.

They have become incredible difficult to beat and England, who came to Dublin on the back of victories over Wales and Italy, were Ireland’s latest victims despite a strong final quarter surge which was partially aided by the fresh impetus their replacements brought but, perhaps, more significantly, the retirement of Sexton with hamstring trouble.

Ian Madigan has many attributes but he can’t control a match like Sexton does. Fatigue was also a factor in such a savagely physically contest, but the Irish lines were not breached despite the late England pressure and their ten-point margin of victory didn’t flatter them one iota. There was no great jubilation from the Irish players afterwards despite ending a three-match losing run against the English.

They know that winning on Sunday was nearly expected of them and they still have work to do to round off the Six Nations campaign in champion style. Their ambition is plain to see and Schmidt has the squad in a zone we have never seen before. Ireland seized the initiative from the start and though coming close to an early try, Sexton’s two penalties at least helped to reflect the hosts territorial advantage.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.