THERE is a vibrant faith In Ireland that Joe Schmidt is a rugby God.

Jonathan Sexton, his fly half, is regarded as his representative on turf.

The omnipotence of the Irish rugby team was dented by defeat against Wales last week but this has only mildly tempered the adoration of coach and player.

"His beatification may have to be delayed, but perhaps only slightly," says Ollie Campbell with a wryness that cannot disguise his admiration for Sexton who has followed him into the No.10 shirt for the national side.

It is a bright Dublin day but it follows a disappointing St Patrick's Day for Campbell as he watched his old school, Belvidere, lose the Leinster Schools Senior Cup final to Cistercian College Roscrea.

The defeat, though, is a perfect starting point to examine the progress of Sexton and to restate the credentials of Campbell. At 61, the latter can reflect on a career that brought him two Leinster Schools Cups for Belvidere, 22 Irish caps, a Lions jersey and a triple crown that was secured by his kicking all of the 21 points that defeated Scotland in 1982.

The Leinster Schools Cup also provides a link between Campbell and Sexton.

The 29-year-old Dubliner dropped a last-minute goal in St Mary's 10-6 win over Belvidere in the final of the 2002 competition. That moment may have caused the watching Campbell some anguish but he has become a devoted admirer of a player who orchestrates the national side's strategy.

"He is one of the best players in the world at the moment. He simply does not have a weakness. He kicks with precision, he passes beautifully off both hands, he is resolute in defence. But his worth is even beyond that for Ireland.

"He is Schmidt's general on the pitch. Jonathan has said that when he plays he hears his coach's voice. There is a meeting of minds, almost an umbilical cord that links the coach off the field to what is happening on it."

This lyricism does not ignore the harsh realities of modern rugby where possession is used in a series of set plays. "Yes, it is becoming almost like American Football now," admits Campbell. "It was less structured in my day so Sexton has to conform to a plan but there is a marvellous precision about what he does."

Schmidt, the New Zealander who invested Leinster with such flair, has adapted his methods for international rugby and Ireland raced to 10 victories in a role, a run only halted by a defeat to Wales that owed more than something to inconsistent refereeing.

The mood in Ireland, though, seems to be to take this defeat as a lesson in how to chase down a lead on hostile soil and to overcome heavy odds. They battered Wales at the end of a pulsating match. The margin between coming to Murrayfield for a grand slam or merely for an attempt at the championship was a knock-on and a baffling refereeing decision at a scrum.

Sexton did not play to his best but Campbell shrugs this off with an observation that is imbued with experience. "Jonathan has been consistently brilliant for us but no player can be at the top of his game in very match at this level," he says.

"There has to be the odd dip. The bad news for Scotland is that he is incredibly strong-willed, very mentally strong. He comes back quickly from any setback. You may have cause to be concerned."

Vern Cotter, who has worked with Schmidt at Auckland and Clermont, has not enjoyed the same seamless transition as his former colleague to international coaching. A promising autumn campaign has been followed by four consecutive defeats in the RBS 6 Nations. As Scotland chase a limited consolation, Ireland are primed for bigger prizes.

There is even mutterings of a possible World Cup win this year among the more excited supporters.

Campbell is more cautious. "We are very lucky to have Schmidt," he says. "His record at Leinster was phenomenal and he has quickly formed an impressive side. But my aim in the World Cup would be more limited. We are the only one of the major rugby-playing nations that has not reached a World Cup semi-final. I would see that as progress. We would have to acquire a greater cutting edge to go further."

Schmidt, though, has impressed all in Ireland, from players to media to fans. His record at Leinster included two Heineken Cups but it was his innovation as a coach, his ability to marshal resources to the best effect that has been his signature.

He now seeks to take Ireland to another level. Sexton, of course, is central to this ambition. "Jonathan and Paul O'Connell are Schmidt's two most important players," says Campbell of the fly half and the lock who captains the side.

He hesitates to name Sexton as Ireland's back ever. "My hero was Jackie Kyle, I watched Mike Gibson as a 10-year-old at my first international, and one would have to appreciate what Ronan O'Gara did over the years. But Jonathan would have to be mentioned in there."

And how does he stand compared to Campbell and Tony Ward, his great rival for the No.10 shirt. "I have in my wallet an around the world ticket for two for the first journalist to interview me who does not mention Tony Ward," he says laughing. "But it is for others to judge that comparison."

He believes Sexton, though, has more to give. "He is improving," he says. "We have not seen the best of Jonathan Sexton."

Campbell has faith in Schmidt's ability to bring out both the collective and personal best in Ireland's players.

"To build a great side you need deep foundations and this takes time," he says. "Schmidt is like an architect and they say that the higher the building the stronger the foundations need to be. He has already accomplished much in a short time but this is a side that can and will improve."

And Sexton's role in this shining edifice?

"He is simply one of the pillars," says Campbell. Upon this rock, Schmidt seeks to build an historic team.