Ireland might reasonably feel some doctors dug a hole last week into which they were prepared to toss Johnny Sexton for the rest of the Six Nations Championship. Last night Irish management realigned opinion as well as the medical team and were hopeful that rigorous examination from a different specialist would clear the Irish outhalf for Saturday’s match against Italy.
Optimism on a number of fronts was the tone of yesterday’s briefing at the team base in Kildare with Sexton officially in the Irish camp but set to travel to Dublin last night to see about the thumb strain that has cast his understudy Paddy Jackson under a brighter light for this weekend.
The view abroad may be that Italy are a team Ireland should brush aside on their way towards a grandstand finale against France in Paris for the Six Nations title. Under every Irish manager that would be seen as heretical thinking, but under Joe Schmidt’s detailed demands, even more so.
Despite lugubrious declarations from Paris on the state of Sexton’s injury, there was an understated positivity around the hotel, which presumably was coming from a knowledge based pre-specialist assessment of the precious hand.
“We will receive a further specialist review later today after which we will have a clearer picture,” said Irish manager Mick Kearney. “The hope is that he will be made available to us to train tomorrow. We remain optimistic that Johnny will be available for selection for the coming weekend.”
The two Lukes, Marshall and Fitzgerald, fell out of the weekend picture following doctor’s advice. The Leinster back who underwent tests yesterday, will not be risked after a minor set back to his abdominal injury.
Ulster centre Marshall has been told to proceed with the Ulster medical staff with caution. A concern with Marshall, without being hysterical about it, is that the concussive knock he took in Ulster’s match against Newport in Ravenhill last Friday follows three concussions in quick succession last season, which forced him out of Ireland’s summer tour to the US and Canada.
"Luke suffered a concussion on Friday night," said the Irish manager. "He was well post-game but after a consultation with the Ulster medical team it has been agreed that he will complete his graduated return to play protocols in Ulster."
Sick bay
Felix Jones is also in sick bay and the injury to his knee playing for Munster against the Ospreys will probably do for his aspirations to impress Joe Schmidt for this season's championship. His report says that there are no tears, which is encouraging but he has been advised to rest for 10 days.
Tommy Bowe suffered no reaction to his groin injury after his first match back for Ulster, while Andrew Trimble “who took a direct blow to his knee last week in Belfast” and Leinster prop Martin Moore followed Brian O’Driscoll and Peter O’Mahony into the Irish squad with cleans bills of health.
O’Mahony strained a hamstring but he ran yesterday and like O’Driscoll, is expected to be fully involved today.
“Felix Jones jarred his knee playing for Munster against Ospreys and had some soreness last week. Initial scans excluded any serious tears but following specialist review it was deemed prudent to rest for 10 days,” said Kearney.
“Luke suffered a minor setback last week he is undergoing furthers tests today and we will review the progress. Peter O’Mahony had a hamstring strain which has recovered very well. He will perform running for us today and provided he comes through that satisfactorily he will train tomorrow.”
Opinion on Sexton’s uncharacteristically patchy performance against England varied over the week with views on him ranging from having taken a knock during the match to the greater wear and tear in his new regime and the physical demands taking a toll.
But Brian O’Driscoll sees Sexton’s influence on Saturday as an important addition. There have been calls to rest Sexton, but that idea falls cold on O’Driscoll’s thinking.
“Any time that Johnny Sexton is available for selection . . . I like playing in the team with him because he’s bloody good,” said the Irish centre. “Maybe in some quarters you might think a rest would be good. But, that’s taking one eye off the Italians. I think if he’s available, you would be hopeful to play your strongest team and he’s definitely a part of that.”
