Ireland’s stars will not be “spooked” by the hip injury that threatens to end Tommy O’Donnell’s World Cup chances, according to Joe Schmidt.
Munster flanker O’Donnell required oxygen on the Millennium Stadium field after suffering a nasty blow in the closing stages of Ireland’s 35-21 World Cup warm-up win over Wales.
The 28-year-old should learn his fate in the next few days, but his chances of finding fitness in time for the World Cup could be slim.
Head coach Schmidt has not given up hope on O’Donnell, and insisted Ireland’s players will not fear injury across a month of warm-up clashes.
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“I don’t think any player gets distracted or spooked by injuries,” said Schmidt. “They know, they’ve been playing the game long enough.
“I think if you’re spooked or distracted by something, then you’re more at risk, so I think they’ll just forge ahead.”
Schmidt will cut his squad this week as the August 31 deadline to name his final 31 edges ever closer.
Ireland face Scotland in Dublin on Saturday, by which time their training squad could be as many as seven men lighter.
