The composition of a 30-man squad for a two-Test tour to Argentina might, in normal circumstances, have been notable for the absentees, but this party is also notable for some eye-catching inclusions.
Aside from the quartet of uncapped players – Munster loosehead James Cronin (23), Connacht scrumhalf Kieran Marmion (22) and the South African-born Ulster pair of hooker Rob Herring (24) and Robbie Diack (28) – Simon Zebo is brought back into the fold, while the main losers would appear to be Leinster outhalf-cum-utility back Ian Madigan and Munster openside Tommy O'Donnell.
As expected, managing injuries and weary bodies have excused some frontliners from duty, such as Cian Healy, Seán Cronin, Dan Tuohy, Sean O’Brien, Tommy Bowe, Gordon D’Arcy and now Dave Kearney.
Johnny Sexton, mustard-keen to travel, does so despite the rigours of last summer when the Lions outhalf was then pitched quickly back into action with Racing.
With no D’Arcy or Brian O’Driscoll, the need for Sexton’s leadership as Schmidt’s primary conduit on the pitch, also given his departure from Leinster, is all the more acute.
This, coupled with the decision to make an understandable investment in Marmion, has contributed to Madigan missing out, for Schmidt was not of a mind to bring six half-backs.
Versatility
Even so, given his composure as Sexton's replacement in the endgame to Ireland's Six Nations' finale in Paris, his versatility as a 10, 12 and 15, not to mention Saturday's reminder of his potential impact off the bench, it is a surprise Madigan has been earmarked for the Emerging Tour to Romania.
Schmidt also made the point that Madigan lacks game time, which is true compared to last season and to Paddy Jackson.
Cronin is highly regarded, and it will be interesting to see how he and Kilcoyne acquit themselves in Argentina, albeit Jack McGrath is ahead of them in the pecking order.
The inclusion of Diack, a skilful utility forward and a very good lineout option, by dint of the residency ruling – whatever about Herring through Irish lineage – raises that hoary old chestnut but not unreasonably, Schmidt was of the view that them’s the rules, so to speak.
“That’s a question for people over and above me. Players are either available or they are not. I think if Bundee Aki plays well and qualifies in three years, time he will be available to whoever is coaching the Irish team at that time to be selected.
“If they change the rules he may not be. As it stands at the moment I think there are some very good indigenous players and the vast majority of the squad is made up of those players.”
The coach also noted Richardt Strauss, Seán Cronin, Mike Sherry and Jason Harris-Wright were all ruled out , and Herring’s qualification adds to the depth at hooker.
“Robbie has played really well and merits his place. He has a good throwing game and I thought he had a super throwing game in Thomond Park where both he and Sean Doyle defensively did a fantastic job, getting off the line, making tackles.”
There will be relief amongst Munster fans, as well as the Zebo household, over his inclusion after falling out of the Six Nations reckoning.
Bridled
Schmidt bridled at any suggestion the winger had fallen off the radar, although strongly intimated Zebo still has to work on his defensive game and work-rate around ruck time.
“I think it’s inaccurate to say he was not in my thinking. There are a number of players who don’t get selected who are very much in the forefront of all the coaches’ thinking. We saw a number of the elements that he brings. I think there are still some things he will be working hard on in camp and he’ll be given some direction about some other things that we do need.
“I think if you were objective on Friday night you’d see a few things he needs to work on. And at the same time you’d definitely see a few of those things that he brings.”
Schmidt essentially regards Zebo as a winger for the moment, and hence Felix Jones is probably the beneficiary of Dave Kearney’s misfortune. Kearney is believed to have suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury.
"He was playing a super game until he got injured at the weekend," said Schmidt, who added of Keith Earls: "I thought Keith showed that acceleration against Toulon at one stage where he accelerated through the middle and got very close to opening things up. He also covers centre for us, as does Fergus McFadden, who I thought was pretty combative again on Saturday evening."
Unscathed
Despite a reduced reliance on Leinster, Schmidt will be hopeful their 10-strong contingent come through the Pro12 final against Glasgow on Saturday week unscathed.
The squad departs the day after that final to arrive in Buenos Aires six days before the first test in Residencia, over 1,000km away on the Paraguayan border, before returning to the capital for another 1,000km-plus trek to Tucuman for the second Test.
