Jonathan Sexton is in doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations campaign after Leinster confirmed the fly-half would miss their upcoming match against Ospreys.
The Ireland captain suffered a facial injury in Leinster’s United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Connacht on New Year’s Day and is a serious doubt for the Six Nations.
High tackle
Sexton suffered the injury in the final quarter of Leinster’s 41-12 victory over Connacht when he made a tackle on Jarrad Butler.
The 37-year-old was replaced shortly afterwards, sporting a nasty dent on his head.
That Johnny Sexton collision with Jarrad Butler
Sexton with a huge bag of ice on his cheek, on the bench pic.twitter.com/zDRzgcg26T
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) January 1, 2023
Leinster confirmed on Tuesday that Sexton will be unavailable for selection against Ospreys as he had suffered a cheek bone injury.
The Irish province did not specify whether he broke or fractured a bone but did say that he would have a procedure on Tuesday and would be further assessed afterwards.
Further injury updates
Sexton joins scrum-half Luke McGrath and back-rower Max Deegan on the sidelines after the pair picked up ankle injuries against Connacht.
Meanwhile, prop Tadhg Furlong and flanker Will Connors are closing in on returns for Leinster as they step up their rehabilitation programmes this week.
Furlong is working his way back from an ankle injury and Connors from a bicep injury.
There was no further injury news from the club with the following players still ruled out through injury: Thomas Clarkson (arm), Ed Byrne (knee), Jason Jenkins (hamstring), Robbie Henshaw (wrist), Martin Moloney (knee), Ciarán Frawley (knee), Charlie Ryan (knee) and Tommy O’Brien (knee).
Ireland kick off their Six Nations campaign on February 4 against Wales, providing some time for Sexton to recover.
After the Ospreys, Leinster have Champions Cup fixtures against Gloucester and Racing 92 before a clash with Cardiff ahead before the URC goes on a break for the Six Nations.
Click Here: Alpine Racing Suit