SCHMIDT COUNTING

need surgery on that. He’s gutted and I’m gutted for him, the team are. He is devastated.. but he’s already thinking about his rehab and he has a big target in a year’s time (World Cup).

“I think I described him as a stubborn man and that ability to bounce back will give him a chance to get back towards the end of the year and into the Six Nations.”

It was O’brien’s first cap in a year and the latest blow for the Tullow Tank who has fought shoulder, hamstring and hip problems in recent years.

Schmidt is hopeful Henshaw, who was replaced at the last minute by Ulster’s Will Addison who impressed in only his second cap, will be fit to face New Zealand on Saturday.

“His hamstring