Schmidt banking on new players to deliver

Schmidt has handed a starting debut to 25-year-old Roux and a first international start to 23-year-old Furlong for their second Test match against South Africa at Ellis Park on the weekend. 

chmidt told media at the team announcement in Johannesburg on Thursday that both Roux and Furlong have earned their place in the starting team with some hard work on the training field.

Quinn is very much a really good set-piece player. I think in the scrum and line-out. I think he is very proficient in those two areas and he has trained incredibly well since he has been with us," said Schmidt.

"I know Quinn well from having coached him for two years previously.During those two years he struggled to get real rhythm because he had a number of injuries and every time he got back playing he unfortunately did not get the opportunity to have a succession of games that would have allowed him to progress so we've seen a bit of that progress in Connacht this season and I guess we are challenging him to progress further in international rugby."

Schmidt added that he is excited at the prospect of seeing Furlong start at tighthead prop on the weekend. 

"It is a big day for Tadhg and I know that him and Quinn and Ian Henderson on that axis of the scrum will be working hard and be combative and as effective as possible," explained Schmidt.

Ireland won their first-ever Test match in South Africa last weekend and if they are able to emerge with the victory again this weekend they will make history with a first-ever series victory in South Africa. 

By Josh Isaacson, in Johannesburg

@rugby365com