Joe Schmidt delivers loud and clear message to Simon Zebo

With the World Cup looming and squad-building opportunities at a premium, Joe Schmidt has wasted no time in letting Simon Zebo know what he thinks of the Munster star’s decision to join Racing 92 next season.

Zebo, 27, may have been an integral part of the Ireland side which defeated the All Blacks last November in Chicago but having announced on Monday his decision to leave Munster and slide out from under the IRFU’s protective blanket for pastures new, the Corkman had

appeared to bring an end to his Test career for the duration of his time in France. Omission from the Ireland squad announced yesterday for next month’s Guinness Series Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina would mean, it seems, that the covers have been removed with immediate effect.