Early concerns were that Ireland’s victory might have come at a cost but Joe Schmidt allayed fears over the condition of Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray and Keith Earls, all of whom finished with niggles. Murray stayed on and was walking freely on the ankle he twisted towards the end while the other two had to be replaced.
“Johnny has a dead glute,” said the head coach. “He copped a knee in the backside. He could have stayed on but we’ve a lot of confidence in Joey Carbery and knew he’d be able to manage the last five minutes. Conor twisted an ankle awkwardly but is walking fine. I imagine it will be a little bit sore. It’s incredible what these guys will do to miss training,” joked Schmidt. “He and Johnny will get Tuesday off.”
Earls, meanwhile, was taken off as a precaution with a touch of cramp. All three were among a number of fine Irish performers. Further good news for the home side is that more reinforcements are poised to return. Garry Ringrose played for Leinster on Friday night, and his club-mate Sean O’Brien is due back this week. Both could be in contention when resurgent Scotland visit Ireland in a fortnight.
For Wales, the light of this championship has gone out. Warren Gatland accepted this defeat put paid to their hopes of winning it, following the loss at Twickenham in round two. “Yes, two [defeats] is one too many,” he said. “We’ve now got two games at home. This will give a chance to players in the squad to show where they are. We want to finish in that top three. That’s important to us.”
The buildup was notable for some spiky exchanges between the two camps but, with tongue no doubt firmly in cheek, Gatland turned sympathetic at last. “I thought Ireland were outstanding,” he said. “I apologised to Joe if I upset him a couple of years ago by being critical of the way they play. I thought they moved the ball brilliantly well and were so exciting!”
Schmidt returned the favour with grace. “I played with Gats,” he said with a smile. “I’ve known him a long time. We’ve been sparring partners for a while. I would say the same thing back. I thought they were pretty exciting, although I thought we helped them be exciting sometimes, which isn’t something we’re trying to do at all.”
Winning the title, though, is something they certainly are – and they are looking good for that ambition. Scotland here in a fortnight is increasingly looking the place to be.
