1. One is either a Joe Schmidt player or one is not.
And it helps to be one. Fergus McFadden is one and so, apparently, is Josh van der Flier (13 tackles is enough as we wait for the turnovers). A Schmidt player never, ever, ever makes a mistake. Not one. A Schmidt player rarely offloads. Simon Zebo might have finally become a Schmidt player even though he offloaded so beautifully for Jared Payne leading up to Jamie's Heaslip's excellent first try. Paddy Jackson is not a Schmidt player although the coach assures us that someday he will be. Devin Toner is a Schmidt player, Andrew Trimble too. Sean Cronin was a Schmidt player this weekend and rumbled over for a try in gratitude for being afforded such a title. Like McFadden, Rob Kearney and Eoin Reddan are Schmidt players. Always have been.
This may be to the detriment of Stuart McCloskey, Zebo and Kieran Marmion. The Ireland XV to face Scotland will confirm this one way or the other.
2. Ultan Dillane likes to hurt people.
Now, if he could like to hurt people on a regular basis Ireland may have a long term enforcer to perfectly compliment Toner or Ian Henderson or maybe, one day, James Ryan.
3. Italy are still a fairly useless rugby team and have not solved a outhalf problem dating all the way back to Diego Dominquez.
Yes, they are hampered by injury but Sergio Parisse, their great leader and brilliant number eight, seems destined to spend his entire career answering questions about the merit of allowing Italy stay in the championship despite Georgia's improvement. Then again, Rome or Tbilisi? Forget we mentioned any of this. Forza Italia.
4. 1.30pm is far too early for the kick-off of a Test match.
People have traditions around a Six Nations Saturday but allowing television to dictate the times and Sunday games shows a lack of respect to history. And to the game itself. And, while we are at it, the very foundations of our society.
5. Schmidt seemed to rub shoulders with Friedrich Nietzsche
(“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.”) when saying: “I know people question decisions I might make or the way we might play but I guarantee I question it more. I am always trying to think how we can best utilise the resources we have. How we can best put pressure on the opponents we have.” Life is about forever learning.
