Joe Schmidt concerned by potential Jack McGrath World Cup ban

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is worried that he may lose Jack McGrath for this year's World Cup, should the prop be handed a ban for kneeing Konstantin Mikautadze in the back.

The 25-year-old lost his temper as the Six Nations champions fell to a narrow 22-21 defeat against the Barbarians at Thomond Park.

McGrath is now likely to face a disciplinary hearing, which could leave his World Cup place in doubt with any suspension not kicking in until the start of Ireland's warm-up matches in August.

"I saw the long-distance replay and it was pretty hard to see," Schmidt is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "I thought they were looking at [Ian] Madigan so I was looking at that.

"I haven't had a good look at it. It obviously warranted a yellow card and I guess it's a situation where whatever happens is out of our hands."

Leinster prop McGrath was also handed a three-match ban for stamping on Ulster captain Rory Best earlier this year.