Schmidt: Keatley can keep repeating Munster magic

Keatley, winning his fourth international cap, carried his sublime GUINNESS PRO12 form to Rome, converting club-mate Conor Murray's second-half try after nailing four penalties.

And with his previous international experience having come against Canada, USA and Georgia, former Leinster coach Schmidt expects Keatley to now prove his worth on the grandest of stages.

"His kicking allowed us to establish some pressure on the scoreboard, he was 100 per cent from the tee and without that it would have been a very different result," he said.

"He was obviously a bit nervous but the experience will be hugely beneficial for him."

Keatley's Munster team-mate Tommy O'Donnell could be set for an extended run in the Ireland team, after getting the last-minute nod to start against Italy after Sean O'Brien was injured in the warm-up.

It meant the 27-year-old had little time to prepare for his third international start, but Schmidt was suitably impressed.

"Tommy O'Donnell came in and did a great job but Sean is obviously disappointed," he said.

"He's twinged his hamstring and we'll have a look at him when we get back to Dublin.

"His power's really good and I'm hopeful about him, quietly confident, but we'll have to see."

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