Joe Schmidt unsure how to fit midfield trio in

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has admitted he will have some selection headaches once midfield trio Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose are all fit.

His decision this week was made easier with Leinster centre Garry Ringrose missing the clash in Dublin due to a minor hip complaint, but should be fit in time to take on New Zealand on November 17.

Robbie Henshaw has been tipped for a run at fullback and admitted he would enjoy the opportunity. 

But Schmidt does not feel shoehorning Henshaw in at 15 would solve the potential conundrum of fielding all his top talent at once.

Schmidt said: “He’s had very little time there.

“I know he played a lot of it and was described as favouring it in the week, but he favours contributing to the team to the best of his ability wherever he’s selected.

“Robbie’s the sort of guy you could pick at seven and he’d go out and do a good job of it.

“I think he’s great in the positions he’s played for us, both at 12 and 13.

“I wouldn’t have too much hesitation putting him back to 15. He’s got a lot of the attributes. It would be a very ad hoc preparation for him to slot back into 15, as in the last few years he hasn’t had too much game-time there.

“So I think you just need a little bit of time to recalibrate if you are going to play in a position. Now, is there anyone more capable of recalibrating? Probably not too many.

“So it is something that has been in the back of our minds for a long time as an option if we needed to go there.

And quizzed on how he can best combine his three top midfield talents, Schmidt replied: “When they are all fit I’ll let you know. I’m not sure myself at this stage.”