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Six NationsIrelandLeinsterJohnny SextonTadhg Furlong

Leinster issue update on Sexton and Furlong amid Six Nations doubts

By PA
Johnny Sexton, captain of Ireland? (C) shakes hands with the All Blacks after the match during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 09, 2022 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Leinster say that Ireland internationals Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong are expected to be fit ahead of this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship.

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Fly-half Sexton suffered a cheekbone injury in the United Rugby Championship game against Connacht on January 1, and underwent a procedure.

He missed the URC appointment with Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday, and will also sit out Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm next weekend.

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“He will be further assessed next week, but is expected to be back ahead of the Six Nations,” Leinster said.

Ireland, the world-ranked number one team, visit Wales for their Six Nations opener on February 4.

Andy Farrell’s side then have a potential title-defining appointment with France in Dublin seven days later.

Sexton, who has won 109 caps, missed two of Ireland’s three Autumn Nations Series Tests this season because of injury.

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Prop Furlong, meanwhile, had recovered from an ankle problem but suffered what Leinster described as “a minor setback” in training last week when he picked up an unrelated calf injury.

Furlong is out of the Gloucester encounter, but is expected to be available before the Six Nations.

Leinster conclude their Champions Cup pool programme by hosting Racing 92 on January 21, then face URC opponents Cardiff in Dublin seven days later.

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'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

The ballad of Archie Griffin and the sorry state of the four regions underscore the need for a revamp across the Welsh game.

Comments on RugbyPass

O
OJohn 15 minutes ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

This will be Schmidt's 13th game as Wallaby coach ..........

Eddie Jones only coached the Wallabies for 9 games in his last stint.

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OJohn 21 minutes ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

"England has one of the best defences in the world ...."


Where are you guys making this stuff up from ? We are entering bizarrro world.

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OJohn 24 minutes ago
18 debutants but Australia's core looking ‘more settled than ever’

What a complete load of .......


And black is now white.


“Somehow, Schmidt has selected more debutants than ever but the team seems more settled than ever.”


"The Wallabies have used a lot of players, they have made a number of changes from game to game, yet fans have a strong feeling of stability around Schmidt’s selections.


"Schmidt has spoken all year about incremental improvements, and his consistency of selection has really seen the combinations and confidence build within the squad over this northern series."


Where do make this stuff up ? Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory ?

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SK 27 minutes ago
Jean de Villiers: ‘Next year will be the acid test for this group’

It seems to me that a core of players will make it to 2027 if they stay fit. Siya, PSD and Eben are all part of that core. The question is who else? De Allende may not make it which is why Rassie has started playing Am at 12 and has Moodie as his back up at 13. Also Esterhuizen is an established 12 already in the mix. Even Pollard has played 12 so Rassie keeping all his options open. Willemse can play 12 but his defence is sometimes lacking. Mgomezulu can also play there and he is a good physical player who makes his tackles. De Allende though is so hard to replace. He tackles, he turns over, runs over players and he distributes. Rassie is making plans for all positions in a similar way. At tighthead and loosehead we have seen the Bok depth this year with injuries to multiple players and yet the scrum stood strong and dominated. At hooker he has used 4 or 5 different players. Bongi will not likely make 2027 but the young guys are coming through. Willie has been tapped as a future coach and right now is a player coach. His swansong will come next year but Fassi is now a solid option at 15 to complement Damian and challenge him. At wing there is endless depth right now. In the loose forwards there are already some established options for 2027 and Louw has now stepped up with Hanekom coming through. At lock injuries to multiple players saw Nortje step up and Moerat is now an established player. Ruan Venter also a good back up and some good youngsters coming through at the Bulls. Springboks finding solutions but question is will this squad be experienced enough come 2027. Lots of change still to come and lots of learnings still to be had for many of these young players.

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SadersMan 36 minutes ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

The only drops indicated were in referee numbers. Yes, impressive 15% increase in women & girls, increase in teenage boys, & increase in juniors. High school participation rates are impressive as well.

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SK 42 minutes ago
The All Blacks don't need overseas-based players

Ofcourse they dont. They have a strong core of experienced internationals in NZ who are all contracted to NZR and they are building a side towards 2027. Many players have stepped up this year and will only improve. They are not losing their experienced internationals and they are producing good players. So right now there is no need to change the eligibility laws.

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YeowNotEven 43 minutes ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Mostly woman. Junior boys numbers dropped.

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SadersMan 47 minutes ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Player numbers have actually increased by 6% from 2023 to 2024.


As for Penney recruiting JOC, totally unnecessary. Halfpenny was a disaster & I predict this will be the same. Hopefully both will be gone after next SR. season.

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Mzilikazi 1 hour ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Lot will depend on the team Ireland picks, JW. There is a lot of talk on sources I read that Prendergast may start at 10. That will improve the WB's chances in my view, as I see Crowley as the far better 10 by a long way.


Also Farrell may try to give more game time to some of the back up or emerging players against a WB team still emerging from the horror Jones experience.

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Mzilikazi 1 hour ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

That is an interesting fact re Gatland., Nick.......not a hands on coach out on the field now, thus needs a top level team of coaches to support him. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that Mark McCall at Saracens is the same. More a director of rugby. Would guess Razor is more hands on. NZ'ers..??

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Jon 1 hour ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Hey Nick,


Great article and yes it has been hard going as a life long Wales supporter. We have had some great periods since the illustrious 70s that Graham Price continually reminds us about and we are currently going through some tough times but there is no point being a fair weather fan, we need to stay true through thick or thin.....and I truly admire you taking the time to engage with a certain Wallaby follower on this platform who has nothing positive to say about anyone especially a Kiwi coach so lucky Warren has thick skin.


Nobody seems to have the answers for the Welsh rugby problem atm but I hope the WRU executives can find an holistic and long term solution. Sacking Gatland can only be worthwhile if there is a better option available and a long term strategy is implemented that all the stake holders can embrace.


Love your stuff Nick, keep up the good work!

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B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Seven Springboks make World Rugby men’s 15s dream team of the year

😂

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Mike 3 hours ago
Steve Diamond slams rivals' 'parasitical behaviour' after latest exit

Not sure if they have a domestic pro league in Argentina? Since the demise of the Jaguares, don't all of their pro players play overseas, presumably mostly in Europe or maybe Japan? If so, I will give Dimo a pass on this occasion...

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Y
YeowNotEven 4 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

South Africa has entire teams playing in different leagues. That is a massive difference because their players are still familiar with each other when they are in the Springbok setup.

New Zealand will never have the Blues or Hurricanes or whoever pull anchor and go join a UK competition.

It will all be players dotted around all over the place.

So when they come back into the All Blacks, yeah they’ll have more experience with other styles, but they will be team mates with guys they’ve never even met.

And they’d have been playing France and Uk, will they still have NZ instincts of using skills and a fast paced game?

Or will they want a drinks break and a massage every time there is a scrum?

79 Go to comments
Y
YeowNotEven 4 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

The crusaders just signed a 34 year old ex wallaby to fill in at 10.

New Zealand is just not producing enough top level talent. That is

Unlikely to change with player numbers dropping every year.

79 Go to comments
J
JW 4 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Oh and if you're talking about the article I think Beaver is talking to the fans. He's telling them these are the players to sacrifice money, they are the ones we should support. Not saying you need to make that sacrifice to be any good. All those boks would have held out for going overseas.

79 Go to comments
J
JW 4 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yeah, Aus had that crash as well, cant remember why they said. Players didn't last I don't think.


And theirs no league in the world that the players could go to and turn around that change it popularity. If only the French were English! This elite league talked about in US and around could change things? Would only need to be NRL level quality imo.

79 Go to comments
S
Sage 4 hours ago
18 debutants but Australia's core looking ‘more settled than ever’

Enjoyed that. Pretty accurate assessment Brett. Good to read you again

2 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 4 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Restricted eligibility could involve them back to SR for a season. Obviously, they need to compete for selection.

79 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 4 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Restrictions will only make a handful of players available. Whether they can compete, well, they won't be selected if they can't. Simple really.


Again, I'm not proposing open eligibilty. That would be disastrous.

79 Go to comments
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