I JUST FELT HELPLESS OUT OF SIDE

ROB KEARNEY felt “pretty helpless” watching on as Robbie Henshaw laid claims to his Irish No.15 shirt.

But the man who has been his country’s first choice full-back for over a decade is now back in possession after playing in the win over Scotland.

He had been dropped entirely for the England defeat, when Leinster colleague Henshaw (above) was given a surprise start.

Refreshingly honest, Kearney admitted: “Myself and Robbie would be pretty close. It was a tricky one because I did want him to do well – but not too well.”

Henshaw, however, had a difficult afternoon as Ireland lost 32-20 at home for the first time in the Six Nations under Schmidt.

Kearney added: “When you’re on your couch watching on TV you’re pretty helpless. For those 80 minutes you’ve got no control over what happens to your future.

“It makes me feel better than if I was watching them and everything went perfectly for them.

“Of course you want the team to win and your mates to go well. But you have to be a little bit selfish about it in terms of your own future.”