Henshaw setback forces Schmidt to revise centre plans

So much for the best-laid plans. Having safely delivered a relatively fit and injury-free Ireland squad to Japan following a long, hard summer of preparation for his final World Cup campaign as Ireland head coach, Joe Schmidt will begin the final week’s build-up to next Sunday’s Pool A opener against Scotland without defensive linchpin Robbie Henshaw.

Schmidt’s hopes for a trouble-free lead-in to Ireland’s first game in Yokohama were dashed at the first training session on Saturday as Henshaw, who has played just two Tests out of a possible nine for Ireland during an injury-hit 2019, pulled up with a tight hamstring.