O'Connell praises 'fantastic' Schmidt before reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Australia

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 30 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Paul O'Connell says "fantastic coach" Joe Schmidt's influence is still evident within the Ireland squad before Saturday's reunion at Aviva Stadium.

Schmidt, who led Ireland to three Six Nations titles and a historic first win over the All Blacks during a six-year spell in charge, will bring his improving Australia side to Dublin for this weekend's climactic autumn Test.

And O'Connell, who captained Ireland under Schmidt, had nothing but praise for the New Zealander before this week's reunion.

"He was very successful with Leinster and Ireland and probably still has a bit of an influence over things we do in here in terms of how we play the game," said Ireland forwards coach O'Connell.

"I enjoyed it [playing for Schmidt], I was an older player when he took over, I was probably hanging on a little bit and I was able to find my niche in what he was doing. I enjoyed how we played, but I probably enjoyed how he coached more than anything.

"He's a teacher, and he had a lot of teaching principles in how he coached. I played nine times against New Zealand as a player and failed to beat them and he was part of that coaching staff that broke that duck [in 2016] and did it again in 2018."

O'Connell, who retired after the 2015 World Cup, has been Ireland forwards coach since 2021 following stints with the Ireland Under-20s and Stade Francais.

And the three-time British and Irish Lions tourist says he has tried to incorporate elements of Schmidt's leadership style into his own coaching work.

"He's a teacher and probably uses a lot of teaching principals in his coaching," added the 45-year-old.

"He'd always have a clear plan and a clear way of delivering that plan and would have clear language.

"That's probably the biggest thing I learned from him. The language he used all the time, repetitive is the wrong word - you weren't the same thing different ways, you were very clear on what was expected of you as a team and in your position.

"He kept things simple as well and I'd always be trying to copy that. He doesn't let people do things wrong. He'd be just as high in his standards if you were doing a walkthrough as if you were on the field.

"A lot of Irish coaches have tried to take some bits and pieces into their coaching and I probably have as well."

Schmidt was appointed Australia boss in January, replacing Eddie Jones. His first year has brought mixed fortunes, from a disastrous Rugby Championship campaign to autumn wins over England and Wales.

And while they are coming off a 27-13 loss to Scotland, O'Connell says "you can see flashes of improvement all the time" in the Wallabies, who will host Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's Lions in next year's Test series.

"To go to Twickenham and score as many points as they did [to beat England], to play the game in the way they did, to keep coming back the way they did shows where their belief and resolve has gotten to.

"There will always be days like Scotland for every team. For us, it is a big challenge and part of the challenge is knowing what they bring because Joe has coached us before as well.

"We know how clear he can be and that clarity allows players to play with a lot of intent and a lot of physicality, so it is a big challenge."