Schmidt urges Ireland to make most of Scotland 'audition'

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says Saturday's World Cup warm-up game with Scotland could be the final audition for fringe players to prove themselves worthy of his World Cup squad.

Schmidt has made 14 changes to the side that beat Wales in Cardiff last week, with Leinster's Sean O'Brien captaining the new-look Ireland side that is still without Paul O'Connell, Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray.

The bulk of the Ireland side that won this season's Six Nations Championship are likely to return for the visit of Wales in two weeks' time as the Irish continue their preparations for the World Cup.

Back-row Jack Conan is set to win his first senior cap alongside Chris Henry, who is hoping to make a dramatic late push for the World Cup finals following a year in which a heart defect almost ended his career.

Behind the scrum, Ian Madigan is given a chance in his favoured No 10 shirt, while the experienced Gordon D'Arcy starts in midfield alongside Jared Payne.

But the most eye-catching move has seen Munster's Simon Zebo given a start at full-back.

“I think we're looking for something a little bit similar to last week, we’re looking for a really solid set-piece,” said Schmidt.

“If we can get that it allows us the platform to put a few things into place and then we get to examine combinations, that would be a good reward for us and probably allow us a little more of an insight into who's doing what and where they fit, potentially.

“Jonny and the boys will come in next time out, and the plan will be to have some involved in that game (against Wales).

“While some of them may be written up as certainties and automatic choices they always have a bit of nervousness when the team is announced and that is a good thing.”

- Cotter respect -
Scotland coach Vern Cotter, who was awarded a one-year extension this week, will be plotting Schmidt's downfall, and he's someone the Ireland boss admires a lot, having worked under his fellow New Zealander in France before moving to Ireland.

"I have massive respect for Vern," he said. "I learnt a lot off him having coached together for five years."

Cotter's men lost all five of their matches in this season's Six Nations but Schmidt said: “I know (Scotland) didn't have a great Six Nations but they went to France and very nearly beat them and scored the only try of the game.

"They led England at half-time. They are a very difficult side, that I think is developing some depth.”

Cotter is set to hand New Zealand-born flanker Hugh Blake his Scotland debut on Saturday.
The 22-year-old was controversially called up by Cotter for this year's Six Nations just weeks after arriving from New Zealand and before he had played a match for Edinburgh.

He did not feature at the tournament and subsequently signed for Glasgow.

"It's been important to get a good look at everyone over the last two months," Cotter said.

"These 23 players now have the first chance to stake a claim for the final 31-man squad for the World Cup, against what we know is quality opposition."

Blake's England-born Glasgow team-mate Mike Cusack could also earn his first cap after being named on the bench.

Former No 8 Richie Vernon returns at centre after a three-year international absence, while Wasps's Ruardih Jackson will line up in an unfamiliar full-back role.
Source: AFP