Stuart Lancaster has dismissed Brian O'Driscoll's claim that Ireland lost their World Cup way after he introduced his 'comfort in chaos' approach to Leinster.
Lancaster has been hugely successful with the province since his arrival in 2016, building an attacking game that has helped the Blues win the Champions Cup in 2018 and reach the final last May.
O'Driscoll's theory on Ireland's failure in Japan is that Lancaster 'upset the apple cart' with his focus on unstructured play at the province - leaving Leinster's Ireland stars doubting Schmidt's more set-piece focused approach going into the World Cup.
"I don't really follow his train of thought," said Lancaster of O'Driscoll's explanation.
"Was he suggesting that Ireland struggled because Leinster did something differently?
"There's a slight misinterpretation about what that ('comfortable in chaos') phrase means.
"It's not like we have a completely unstructured game, my training sessions are chaotic and there are no structures about what we're trying to achieve.
“I can't comment on Ireland because I don't know what they did in camp and how it all played out.
“But the 'comfortable in chaos' point actually has some very clear underpinned structures behind it - and some very strong principles that myself, Felipe (Contepomi) and Leo (Cullen) apply here.
“There's not one system that's right and one that's wrong. It's more about whichever system you decide to use - you've got to deliver it on the day.
“We've had great days at Leinster where we have delivered it - but we've also had days where we've lost as well."
As head coach, Lancaster was involved in England's review process after the disastrous World Cup exit in 2015 that cost him his job.
He believes getting the review process right is crucial for Ireland.
"You have to have a really clear review process to look at all the reasons," said Lancaster.
"There’s only one team that won this World Cup - everyone else will be looking at themselves thinking, 'why did we lose?'.
"So the review process is as important and knowing Andy (Farrell) and Joe as I do, I’d be amazed if they’re not having a really detailed, forensic review to look at what they can do better because it comes very quickly again.
"There’s been a lot of noise about Ireland not doing well but we shouldn’t forget how much Joe has done for Ireland.
"When I arrived here, the fingerprints of Joe were all over this organisation in a really positive way. They're still there now.
"I hope they take the learning from it and do it in a very constructive way and it benefits the new coaching team.
"I, for one, will be giving them everything I possibly can to help them succeed.
"The Six Nations is almost…Andy will be thinking about his squad, there’s a camp later this month, there’s a camp in January.
"Before you know it, you’re into it again."
As are Leinster in terms of Champions Cup business, with a RDS tie to kick off their campaign against Benetton on Saturday.
Lancaster says that all of the province's fit World Cup returnees are available for selection.
"There's been no hangover because they can't afford it," he stated.
“We’ve played, played really well for the last six PRO14 games and the younger players have stepped up".
