Passionate Irish smarter under Schmidt: Hansen

Ireland's passion remains but their improvement over the past three years as a rugby team is down to Joe Schmidt turning them into a smarter unit, says New Zealand coach Steve Hansen. Schmidt, a New Zealander like Hansen and whose coaching skills were honed back home before a spell as assistant to Vern Cotter at Clermont in France, has certainly transformed Ireland since he replaced the studious Declan Kidney in 2013. Within months of Schmidt, 51, taking over the reins the Irish won the 2014 Six