Joe Schmidt insists no Grand Slam fever will infect Ireland's "bubble" as his side edge ever closer to a Six Nations title decider with England. Joe Schmidt insists no Grand Slam fever will infect Ireland's "bubble" as his side edge ever closer to a Six Nations title decider with England. A record-equalling 10th successive Test win now puts Ireland just two wins away from a first Grand Slam in nine years, with the last-weekend England clash slated for March 17 at Twickenham. Asked if the Ireland squad can keep any Grand Slam talk at bay, Schmidt said: "It's a lot easier for us than it is externally because we do live in a bit of a bubble through the championship. Conor Murray picked up a minor foot problem, but head coach Schmidt insists his Lions halfbacks will be fit to face Scotland in Dublin on March 10.

Source: Irish Independent February 25, 2018 02:30 UTC