Ireland's hopes of claiming a third Six Nations title goes up in smokes after just two games amid talk of conservatism from Schmidt. Whatever about the game-plan, Schmidt has largely stuck to the tried and tested so far, while some younger players are hammering on the door to be involved.
Schmidt has so far been reluctant to throw in these form players, but given how badly Ireland played against a bad France team - changes need to be made. Here are eleven players who should come into consideration.
Stuart McCloskey
The time to bed McCloskey in now. Schmidt won't make wholesale changes, and there's a big chance that he won't even make this change. But if we shout loud enough we might finally be heard. We want it, you want it, Stephen Ferris wants it.
McCloskey is so good, and so different to anything Ireland have had before - he could be a monster on the international stage.
Just wait until Garry Ringrose gets there too. Choose two between McCloskey, Henshaw, and Ringrose.
Paddy Jackson
Paddy Jackson has been, by a distance, the form outhalf in Ireland this season. Ireland are so reliant on Sexton for two reasons - he's very good, and he's that much better than anyone else. But how can we develop a second option without playing them? Jackson is young, improving a lot, and Sexton is taking a lot of bangs. Jackson needs more gametime and it will help Ireland, Jackson, and Sexton if he gets it.
Craig Gilroy & Matt Healy
Dave Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo, Luke Fitzgerald, and Keith Earls. Ireland are losing a lot of wingers to injury. Schmidt's solution is to call up the tried and trusted Fergus McFadden. McFadden is a good player. But he's not at the form that he was when he deserved to be in the Ireland squad.
Schmidt is favouring him over the in-form wingers in Ulster and Connacht, with Matt Healy and Craig Gilroy in particular hitting Schmidt's door with a medieval battleaxe. Hell, even Rory Scholes and Tiernan O'Halloran are playing better than McFadden right now.
James Cronin & Denis Buckley
Jack McGrath had quite a mixed game, after a less than impressive showing against Wales. Even still, he's played nearly 160 minutes in Cian Healy's absence. Which is strange. Anyone who has watched any provinical rugby this season has seen that our loosehead prop stocks are in rude health.
Denis Buckley is dominating in Connacht, James Cronin likewise with Munster. even Kyle McCall is playing lights out for Ulster. I'm not saying drop McGrath, but playing him for 80 minutes does no one any good. Let the back-ups play.
Jared Payne
It's strange that Ireland's best full-back isn't allowed to play. I mean, he's on the pitch but under such strict conditions and in the wrong position. How much freedom would Ireland be allowed to play under if two of our better backs could play in their positions? It gives a reason to play McCloskey too.
Shout louder everyone.
Kieran Marmion
Fresh from his 80 minutes spent riding the pine last week, Schmidt promptly dropped Marmion for his lack of effort or some strange reason. Instead preferring the 35-year-old Eoin Reddan. Conor Murray is the first choice, and neither Boss or Reddan will be around in three years time. Marmion and Luke McGrath are the future, and they need exposure to international rugby.
Ross Molony / Ultan Dillane / James Ryan
The second row was an issue today, and Donnacha Ryan needs to be in with Devin Toner for the next game. He's not suited to the bench, and would work better with Toner's lineout nous. Henderson is clearly missed - but the performances of the raw talents of Dillane, Molony and U-20 captain James Ryan are thrilling.
It might be a bit soon, but if this was the Southern Hemisphere there would be no second thought for throwing them in. They are the future.
Tongue, meet cheek.
See Also: You Won't See A Better Try Saving Tackle Than Ireland U20 Star James Ryan's Amazing Effort
See Also: There's One Important Point Being Overlooked About Why Jared Payne Shouldn't Play 13 Anymore
Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE
