When he walked in after the match questions seemed redundant. Joe Schmidt told the story of the night with his expression, his mood, his posture. The loss to injury of Johnny Sexton, Paul O'Connell and Peter O'Mahony would have hurt, even on a heady night when World Cup hopes took a step forwards.
But on the down side of an upbeat evening, O’Connell may have played his last game for Ireland. The injury has ended his run in this tournament and when he recovers will go to play in France.
“I suspect it probably is,” said a doleful Schmidt about O’Connell’s further participation. “He looks pretty uncomfortable. It does not look great. Looks like upper hamstring but he will have to get a scan tomorrow.
“Johnny Sexton looked like an abductor but we’ll get him scanned tomorrow and Peter O’Mahony too. We’re hopeful about Pete. I think it was a twist of the ankle or knee. Hopefully he is going to be okay.
“I spoke briefly to Johnny Sexton and he’s already talking about next week. It’s probably Paul that worries me the most of those three.”
For the team a little bit more of the belief that Ireland could advance to the semi-finals mushroomed under the roof in the Millennium Stadium.
Another small shred of optimism was built on to Irish dreams and the shadow of New Zealand in the quarter-finals cast off in an evening of renewal of faith in the Ireland effort. Schmidt has been around long enough to know that players get injured and has confidence enough in his bench to step into the frontline.
But pivotal figures are just that, central to the plot, shapers of the match and leaders of the team. And therein was another epiphany as all who came into the game not only excelled but brought worth of a different kind, as equally potent.
Ian Madigan, Chris Henry and Iain Henderson championed the cause every bit as effectively as those who left. Ireland were offered an opportunity to quit. They didn’t take it. There Schmidt oozed a deep satisfaction.
“It was very much a group effort,” he said. “I’m proud of the performance I think the players and the squad should be proud for what was always going to be a massive challenge. It grew in complication when we lost Johnny Sexton and Paul and Peter.
“I think between the three players that was 200 plus caps. The calm heads are there. Jamie took over the captaincy. The players who came on did a really good job. Iain Henderson was very, very good for us. The plan was to get him on that last quarter but he certainly made an impact and did a good job for us.
“We had to fight for everything we got. Wasteful first half, Made opportunities but didn’t take them. It was a battle that was attritional but one that showed a fair bit of character in the side.”
Schmidt as much as France asked his players questions. In Cardiff as the sound bounced around and seemed to magnify every tackle and pass, they answered. Jamie Heasilp characterised it as the best atmosphere he has ever experienced.
“That atmosphere pretty much surpassed pretty much any other game I’ve played. It was unbelievable,” said Heaslip. "Even coming down in the bus . . . I’ve been here many times but it surpassed all that. Both sets of fans were a credit to the game.
“Physically it was tough but we knew that. There are a lot of sore bodies in that changing room, physically and emotionally drained. That’s what you have to give to wear that jersey.”
With Sean O’Brien, however, team Ireland will have to wait. O’Brien maybe cited for a swing.
“I hope not,” said Schmidt. “He was held at the time and he swung. I don’t think he was looking at the player. It’s not a closed first. I’d be hopeful but it’s not a decision for me.
“Considering the dressing room at the moment with the amount of injuries we have we can ill afford to lose another players especially one of Sean’s experience
Ireland move forward. Satisfied. Optimistic. Bittersweet.
