Joe Schmidt has angrily denied influencing provincial selection, rubbishing suggestions he has 'blocked' Darren Cave's path back to the Ireland squad. Head coach Schmidt has confirmed Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne will fight it out for Ireland's no 13 shirt in the upcoming Guinness Test series. Henshaw and Payne face a shoot-out to replace the retired Brian O'Driscoll, with Ulster centre Cave overlooked for Ireland's autumn ranks. Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has angrily denied influencing provincial selection Cave last year claimed his 'face doesn't fit' with the Ireland set-up, while Eoin Griffin left Connacht for London Irish in the summer, frustrated by his lack of national chances.
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Head coach Schmidt confirms Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne will fight it out for Ireland's no 13 shirt in the upcoming Guinness Test series
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Ulster centre Darren Cave last year claimed his 'face doesn't fit' with the Ireland set-up
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Schmidt defends decision to omit Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson from Ireland's autumn squad
'He's obviously disappointed, but he's a tough young man, we've got a lot of respect for @placeholder.