The European champions’ huge 55-22 victory was tempered by the departure of O’Driscoll on 25 minutes, shortly after he had created club and country teammate Jamie Heaslip’s try – Leinster’s third of the evening – with a scintillating break through the Cardiff backline. 

The 33-year-old O’Driscoll, who captained Ireland to the Grand Slam in the 2009 RBS 6 Nations, appeared to be in severe discomfort when the physios came to treat him.

But with the autumn internationals on the horizon Schmidt was quick to play down the severity of the injury – admitting the substitution was made with O’Driscoll’s upcoming commitments in mind.

Schmidt said: “He sprained his ankle. He was going to play on. In the end, we measured up the responsibilities that he has got coming up and we replaced him.

“We don’t think at this stage that it is too serious.”