Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is suffering suspected appendicitis and has gone to hospital for a check-up, a team spokesman said following the Six Nations champions’ 26-23 victory over Australia on Saturday.

The 49-year-old New Zealander – who managed to get through the nerve-wracking game before opting to go to hospital – hadn’t hinted at the pain he was feeling when he spoke to Irish national broadcaster RTE after the match.

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However, he did say, when asked would the win set them up to retain the Six Nations title: “I’m just hoping to survive tonight.”

The team spokesman said Schmidt had been in agony all day before watching the Irish edge a thriller and complete their first double over the Wallabies and the Springboks – whom they beat 29-15 a fortnight ago – since 2006.

“He manned up today but he had to go to hospital after having been looked at here at Lansdowne Road,” said the spokesman.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell – named man of the match – said Schmidt had not said a word about his illness.

“He was, as normal, stand-offish,” grinned the 35-year-old Munster lock.

“He didn’t come too close to us all day in case it was something catching. He didn’t want to distract us from our focus. That’s the type of man he is.”