Johnny Sexton and Sean O’Brien were taken off for precautionary reasons only this weekend by Leinster as Joe Schmidt sweats over their fitness for the November internationals.
Sexton, who started all five matches of this year’s RBS 6 Nations, had been nursing a hamstring injury whilst O’Brien was making his first appearance since January but both players were withdrawn at half-time in the European clash with Montpellier. Sexton’s recovery is still not complete with Isa Nacewa taking over kicking duties but Leinster felt both players were needed for a game of such magnitude against Jake White’s side. However Leinster head coach Leo Cullen stated that he was merely being cautious and was looking to ease both players back into action “Johnny and Seanie, the two of them are coming back in. We’re making assessments all week on those guys… on what’s suitable and not putting guys at unnecessary risk, with both players set to feature during Ireland’s busy four-Test autumn schedule. “We’re just managing them and being ultra cautious so hopefully they come through fine.”
Jackson on the money for Ulster Schmidt is due to name his squad for Ireland’s autumn internationals which start with a game against New Zealand in Chicago on 5th November before returning to the Irish capital ahead of games against Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The Ireland head coach will be encouraged however by the form of Sexton’s understudy Paddy Jackson who kept his nerve to slot a late drop goal at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday night as Ulster narrowly defeat Exeter Chiefs 19-18. Munster duo CJ Stander and Tommy O’Donnell are both also showing good form and played for Ireland in the absence of O’Brien in last year’s RBS 6 Nations. The two back-rowers were influential in Munster’s 38-17 win over Glasgow Warriors on Saturday as the club paid a fitting tribute to the late Anthony Foley.