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23rd October 2019
02:50pm BST
Hooker - RORY BEST
Richardt Strauss, Dave Heffernan, Rob Herring, Niall Scannell and Sean Cronin all got a taste but there is only one man for this jersey. Best was turning 31 when Schmidt took over but was about to play some of his best rugby for Ireland. His form dipped a tad in his last 18 months but he was still in there winning turnovers and finding his lineout jumpers in his final run out.
Tight-head prop - TADHG FURLONG
Mike Ross helped Ireland to Six Nations titles in '14 and '15 but teams were targeting him in his final 12 months in the green jersey and he scrummed himself into the ground. Tadhg Furlong took up the running in late 2016 and added a new, ball-playing dimension to the position. A world-class operator over these past three years.
Locks - JAMES RYAN & PAUL O'CONNELL
The unlucky lad to miss out here is Devin Toner. The Leinster lock was an old reliable for Schmidt, who gave him a second chance at Test rugby, but the two men selected are another level. Paul O'Connell was Schmidt's captain supreme in his first two years in charge and was superb in big wins over Scotland, France, South Africa and Australia. Ryan has been consistently Ireland's best player since he came into the senior squad in the summer of 2017.
Blindside flanker - PETER O'MAHONY
14 of CJ Stander's 39 Test matches were at blindside - including that 2016 victory over New Zealand - but, in truth, he was just filling in for Peter O'Mahony as he recovered from the knee injury he picked up at the 2015 World Cup. O'Mahony was the perfect blindside for Schmidt and filled more of that mongrel role than electric ball-carrier.
Openside flanker - SEAN O'BRIEN
Another world-class operator on his day and, injuries aside, he had a lot of them. Was often the standard bearer for his side and Ireland won many a game thanks in no small part to this man. Dan Leavy was pushing him close here until a serious knee injury wiped him out long-term.
No.8 - JAMIE HEASLIP
This one was tough, too. CJ Stander was the big competition again and though he had a 2018 to be proud of, in the No.8 jersey, Jamie Heaslip was the composite Joe Schmidt back-row. Knew his role and performed it to perfection.
Scrum-half - CONOR MURRAY
Eoin Reddan is the only real competition for Conor Murray but this contest is not even close. At his best, he is right up there with Aaron Smith and, more recently, Faf De Klerk as one of the top 9s in world rugby. Ireland's top man for try assists and chipped in with a few crucial scores of his own - France, New Zealand, South Africa and England.
Out-half - JOHNNY SEXTON
Again, no real battle here. Joe Schmidt's task-master and tempo-setter on the field. The main man for those early Six Nations title wins and won World Player of the Year in 2018 when he helped his team to a list of big wins, including that Grand Slam and a second toppling of the All Blacks.
Left wing - JACOB STOCKDALE
This one was touch and go but Jacob Stockdale bumps out Simon Zebo - much more consistent under Schmidt than most give him credit for - to the No.11 jersey. Exploded onto the scene in June 2017 and is already burning up the Top 10 of Irish try-scorers. Stockdale's eight tries in five games drove Ireland to Grand Slam glory and his chip and chase toppled the All Blacks in November 2018.
Inside centre - BUNDEE AKI
Aki's main challengers for this role are Robbie Henshaw (see below) and Gordon D'Arcy, who ploughed away for two seasons with Ireland after Schmidt arrived. 23 starts out of his first 25 Tests under Schmidt and Aki was the go-to midfielder for Schmidt's third incarnation of his Ireland XV. The backline captain/defensive leader after Jared Payne, it was a shame his World Cup was so underwhelming.
Outside centre - ROBBIE HENSHAW
Switched and swapped between 12 and 13 but most of his best games for Ireland have been in the 13 jersey. Jared Payne, Brian O'Driscoll and Garry Ringrose were also vying for this spot and, in truth, all have decent shouts. Will be interesting to see where Andy Farrell sees Henshaw playing from 2020 on.
Right wing - KEITH EARLS
A Trojan and a man, up until this World Cup, who appeared to be getting better with age. Schmidt's top try-scorer from his time in charge of Ireland, with 18, Earls missed the 2014 and 2015 Six Nations wins but was a consistent selection from the 2015 World Cup on. Was a gem in the Grand Slam campaign and made a name for himself, aside from his scoring, with a few remarkable try-saving tackles.
Fullback - ROB KEARNEY
Won exactly half of his 98 Test caps under Schmidt and was another of the trusted lieutenants. When he was fit and firing, he was Ireland's No.15. Schmidt would often try another player in the role only to go running back to the Louth native. Three great performances (2013, 2016 and 2018) against New Zealand - and the Grand Slam - were the high points.
15. Rob Kearney 14. Keith Earls 13. Robbie Henshaw 12. Bundee Aki 11. Jacob Stockdale 10. Johnny Sexton 9. Conor Murray 1. Jack McGrath 2. Rory Best 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. James Ryan 5. Paul O'Connell 6. Peter O'Mahony 7. Sean O'Brien 8. Jamie Heaslip
