Schmidt's comments contradict those made on Tuesday by Irish team manager Paul McNaughton who told the Irish Times that the management scheme this season was not 'front ended' meaning:
"In the past there's been a situation where a lot of the players were not back until Magners League four or five. This year the vast majority of players will be back for Magners League one and all other players will be back by Magners League two."
But speaking at the league's launch in Cardiff yesterday, Schmidt seemed unconvinced by McNaughton's assurances: "I've been in pretty close talks with them (the IRFU), I would be surprised if that is the situation."
The New Zealander adding that: "They (elite internationals) are on a strength and conditioning phase, they're not even available to play rugby at the moment.
"They've been doing an eight-week pre-season, of which they're in week five, so if you do the maths they're not really training with us in the same way as the young players are, or the players returning from injury."
The report from the former Clermont Auvergne coach is directly contradicting the information given yesterday by McNaughton who said: "Barely eight or nine players will not start in Magners League one and then every player will play in Magners League two."
On Fridays pre-season defeat to Wasps, Leinster fielded a very youthful looking side with an extensive 11 man bench. Of those 26, only Luke Fitzgerald (returning from a 9 month injury layoff) could be considered a marquee name. While the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Jonathon Sexton, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney were sitting comfortably in the stand.
"They're not sort of part of our group yet." admitted Schmidt, "That's as difficult as anything, getting rhythm in preparation."
Meanwhile, the fallout continues from the 'Bloodgate' inquiry into the actions of Harlequins in Leinster's 2009 quarter final win at the stoop.
Dr Wendy Chapman was found to have cut Quin's winger Tom Williams after he left the field feigning a blood injury to allow his teams drop-goal specialist to enter the action.
Chapman's malpractice now has put her in danger of being struck off the medical register. This week she is sat before a hearing of the General Medical Council and told them of her reaction when she realised the gravity of her action:
"I was horrified, just horrified. This is a very huge game and they cheated," said Chapman. "I was very ashamed that I gave into the pressure.
"They (Harlequins coaching staff) were all saying that there was a real injury, that is all real blood, I was just desperate. To be the one person to stand up and say 'It was not'... I did not know what to do.
"There was no justification, it was the wrong thing to do."
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