VIDEO: Joe Schmidt: Paulie’s surgery went well; in ‘good humour’ judging by online posts

Earlier today, O’Connell posted a picture of paper underpants on Instagram and captioned it: “The underwear has been the highlight of the operation so far".

By Grainne McGuinness and Shaun Cronin

Ireland face Argentina in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Sunday, and must do so without their captain.