Iain Henderson out of New Zealand tour as Andy Farrell plays down Joe Schmidt head-to-head

Bundee Aki will captain the Ireland XV against the Maoris on Wednesday in a side that includes all five uncapped players in Farrell’s touring party.

BACK IN BLACK: Joe Schmidt gas joined the New Zealand coaching staff ahead of the Test Series. Pic: Alan Lee, Inpho

Andy Farrell has played down Joe Schmidt’s likely impact on the Test series between Ireland and the All Blacks but his plans for Saturday’s first Test have been dealt a further blow after lock Iain Henderson was ruled out of the tour with a knee injury.

Farrell succeeded Schmidt as Ireland head coach after the 2019 World Cup quarter0final exit to New Zealand marked the end point of the Kiwi’s six-year reign that brought unprecedented success to the national team despite the disappointing manner of its end.