Joe Schmidt had his eyes on Australia and New Zealand when he announced his first Ireland squad to face Samoa at Dublin's Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
Though the Kiwi-born Ireland coach could call on six 2013 British and Irish Lions in a strong starting XV, he left three more on the replacements bench, including skipper Paul O'Connell, and omitted Racing Metro playmaker Jonny Sexton altogether.
While Samoa are ranked ahead of Ireland on the IRB world rankings, Schmidt refused to force O'Connell and Sexton, as well as Cian Healy and Sean O'Brien, to play three strenuous Tests in as many weeks with the Wallabies and the world champion All Blacks both due in Dublin later this month.
Sexton's omission, due to a hip injury that kept him out of Racing's game last weekend, has opened the door for Ulster's Paddy Jackson to start, but Schmidt was adamant his former Leinster No.10 would be ready to face Australia and New Zealand.
Following his big money pre-season move to France, Sexton is no longer centrally contracted to the Irish Rugby Football Union and has played almost twice as many games this term as he may have done in previous seasons under the IRFU's player management scheme.
"It's unfortunate we've lost control of the player, so we don't control his game management and his minutes," said Schmidt.
"After what he's done already this season, it is important for him to get a break," added Schmidt, who guided Leinster to two European Cup triumphs before replacing Declan Kidney as Ireland coach.
Leinster prop Jack McGrath is a debutant in a front row that has fewer caps than the veteran centre partnership of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy, who will have a combined 200 for Ireland on Saturday.
After the weekend's clash with Italy, Australia next face Ireland on November 16.
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