Who will take his place?

Garry Ringrose will not be fit in time for Ireland’s November series next month as he continues to recover from a shoulder problem.

The young Leinster centre underwent surgery back in July and following Leinster’s bonus-point win over Glasgow the weekend, head coach Leo Cullen confirmed that he will not be back in action until at least December.

His unavailability means Robbie Henshaw will likely continue at 13 for Ireland, where he has played in both of Leinster’s Champions Cup wins. Schmidt has several options at inside centre, but not so much on outside.

Who will partner Henshaw remains to be seen. Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey has been in great form, as has Munster’s Rory Scannell. Schmidt could also go left field and throw Bundee Aki straight into Test action alongside his centre partner at Connacht.