Will the unavailables now rue missing Ireland's tour to South Africa?

You just wonder what was going through Joe Schmidt’s mind as he boarded Ireland’s flight from Heathrow to Cape Town last Sunday night. 

Given Schmidt has already confirmed he will decide on his future as Ireland head coach beyond next season when he returns from South Africa, the next three weeks is sure to flip that crucial decision one way or the other.

The IRFU’s performance director David Nucifora has already confirmed Schmidt’s replacement is already in the Irish system which presumably means Pat Lam, Andy Farrell and perhaps Less Kiss form that particular short-list.