Ireland rugby union team Youthful Ireland can challenge for Six Nations but must beware France Joe Schmidt dismisses claims his side are favourites but they have good depth if they can banish a tendency to start slowly Exciting things are expected of Ireland’s 20-year-old wing Jordan Larmour in the Six Nations. Photograph: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesJoe Schmidt does not care much for mind games. “Last year we were incredibly disappointed with ourselves; we didn’t start well enough, giving Scotland a 21-5 head start,” Schmidt said. Only once since a 21-year-old Brian O’Driscoll blazed a trail across the Stade de France turf in 2000 have Ireland beaten France away – four years ago when a jittery two-point win sealed the title. Considering it was France that beat them to it, there may be some added spice in Paris on Saturday.

Source: The Guardian January 31, 2018 16:52 UTC