Farrell and Schmidt 'would like to get one up on each other'

Ulster coach Richie Murphy says he believes Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and his Australia counterpart Joe Schmidt "would like to get one up on each other" when their teams meet at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Schmidt coached Ireland for six years from 2013, with Farrell occupying the role of his assistant for the final three years of the New Zealander's tenure before taking over the top job following the 2019 World Cup.

Murphy has worked closely with both in his previous roles as Ireland's skills and kicking coach, then Ireland Under-20s coach, and holds them in high regard.

"They’re two amazing coaches. Over the course of the last week I’ve been on the phone texting both of them," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

"I think Joe Schmidt was the catalyst and the start of a lot of good things in Irish rugby and Andy has taken it on from there and done an extremely good job.

"He has brought his own personality onto it. In phase attack he’s really driven Ireland on."

Australia lost 27-13 to Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, having previously defeated England and Wales in their autumn internationals.

Schmidt has been at the helm with the Wallabies since January this year after being a selector and assistant coach with the All Blacks.

"Joe’s attention to detail is second to none. You can still see elements of his coaching from when he was in Ireland in that Australian team. They have become much more disciplined, they have much more pattern to what they’re doing," observed Murphy.

"They were beaten at the weekend but they’ve been pretty good over this period."

The fact that Farrell and Schmidt will again lock horns as coaches of the British and Irish Lions and Australia respectively in the summer adds more spice to the Dublin encounter.

"The two of them get on very well. Well they always did when I was there but I’d say deep down both would like to get one up on each other. It’ll be very interesting to see how it goes," added the Ulster coach.