Schmidt’s Reasoning For Unchanged Side Against Wales Should Get Ireland Fans Excited

Joe Schmidt has named an unchanged side for Ireland’s trip to Cardiff this Friday.

There’s only one change in the entire squad that defeated France, a forced one with Tommy Bowe coming in to take the injured Andrew Trimble’s place on the replacements bench.

Over the past couple of years Ireland have been one of the few unlucky sides when it comes to injury. To be able to select an unchanged side is a luxury that has eluded Ireland over the last couple of campaigns.

All week it was speculated that perhaps Jared Payne would come in instead of Gary Ringrose, but the Ireland boss has kept faith in the young centre. Schmidt cites continuity as a huge factor for success.

He noted that if you look back on Ireland’s triumphs in 2014 and 2015, they didn’t make too many changes throughout those campaigns and were allowed to build and improve throughout. Judging by Ireland’s Six Nations so far, that seems to be the case this year also.

“Sometimes you’re almost happy you don’t have to make calls.” Schmidt said

Ireland fans will no doubt be excited hearing this. No doubt they’ll be hoping history repeats itself.