What Joe Schmidt Did During Ireland’s Celebrations Pretty Much Sums Him Up
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Ireland add six players to their squad as full update issued - February 16, 2025
- Ireland hit with major injury blow ahead of Six Nations clash with Wales - February 15, 2025
- Warren Gatland to leave his role as Wales head coach with immediate effect - February 11, 2025
The best in the world?
Ireland are waking up today as Grand Slam champions for just the third time in history, and the first time in nearly a decade. And boy did they do it in some style.
Heroics against France. Three consecutive bonus-point wins at home. And then there was yesterday. A truly magnificent performance against England in Twickenham.
To beat England in the manner in which they did deserves huge credit. To not only the players, but to the everyone involved making it happen. Including a certain Joe Schmidt.
The Ireland head coach got his tactics spot on yesterday. And it was him that planned and came up with Ireland’s clever trick play for Stander’s try. He completely outclass his counterpart Eddie Jones, and deserves huge credit for what he has done with such a young Irish team.
But where was he when Ireland lifted the Six Nations Grand Slam championship? Hiding near the stand. Away from the players. He doesn’t want the attention on him. He wants it on his players, as he feels they’re the ones who deserve all the credit.
When asked about it by TV3’s Sinéad Kissane after the game, Schmidt said it’s “their spotlight.”
“It’s their spotlight.” Schmidt said.
“It’s their effort. They’ve earned it. They merit it.”
A true mark of the man he is. But you’ve earned it too Joe. And we all know it. No matter how much you hide.
