The 10 positives that put Schmidt’s mind at ease

It’s hard not to think that Joe Schmidt spent a good chunk of Saturday evening sitting in the stands of the Aviva Stadium with an inner glow of satisfaction insulating him against any looming October chill.

A fit and well-tested Jonathan Sexton was watching the same game in his civvies, his three successive starts for Leinster earning him a day off before the season turns towards Europe and into the section of fast track that is the November internationals.

Ross Byrne was deputising for the master. Third-choice out-half for Ireland’s summer tour to Australia, here he was banking another hour or so of valuable experience. Opposite him at ten for Munster, rather than at 15 for Leinster or on the bench, was Joey Carbery.