That pesky thumb injury may keep Sexton out of the remainder of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.
Racing Metro coach Laurent Labit had some bad news for Joe Schmidt and Ireland today. Speaking at a press conference in France, reported on by ESPN, Labit said: “Sexton has damaged ligaments in the thumb and will be unavailable for between 10 days and six weeks.”
Even at the lowest estimate, it looks like the fly-half will miss the game with Italy in Dublin on March 8, but the longer term prospect of Sexton being unavailable for what will probably be the crucial game against France in Paris on March 15 also looms large now.
Paddy Jackson will be the man in the frame to step in but Schmidt has been reluctant to use the Ulster man much thus far in his reign. His hand may well be forced if Sexton doesn’t recover though.
UPDATE 18:39:
The IRFU have issued an injury bulletin on the squad and they reckon Sexton will be fine for the Italy game.
The Ireland medical team have had a consultant hand specialist review Jonathan and his scans (on his injured thumb).
The ligament damage sustained does not warrant surgery and if Jonathan continues his current rate of improvement, we would be confident that he will be available for selection against Italy.
Guess we will have to wait and see who is right.
