Ireland have received a double blow ahead of this weekend’s clash with England as both Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw have been ruled out through injury.
Sexton was forced off the field in the first half of Friday’s Autumn Nations Cup opening night victory over Wales and will miss the trip to Twickenham following a scan on his hamstring injury, which he sustained kicking over his second penalty of the evening in Dublin.
The Ireland skipper admitted his ‘frustration’ after picking up the knock and he is not the only notable absentee for Andy Farrell’s side, who will also be without centre Henshaw due to an adductor strain.
Ulster stand-off Billy Burns, who replaced Sexton on Friday night to make his international debut, was removed from the field of play during the second half for a HIA and will follow the return to play protocols.
Conor Murray filled in at fly-half during the closing stages against Wales and has been described by Farrell as a “genuine option” to take on the role, while Leinster outside-half Ross Byrne is also part of Ireland’s autumn squad.
Elsewhere in the back division, Jacob Stockdale hopes to return to training later this week as he continues his recovery from a calf injury and Shane Daly is back in full training.
In the pack, Iain Henderson returns to training today (Monday) having been forced into a late withdrawal from Friday’s starting XV following a knock.
His eleventh-hour replacement, Quinn Roux, scored the first try of the Autumn Nations Cup on Friday evening to set Ireland on their way to a comfortable 32-9 victory.
They will now hope to make it two from two against England, who also started with a win in Round 1, with Ireland seeking a first triumph at Twickenham since the 2018 Six Nations meeting.
