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Leinster issue update on the state of Johnny Sexton's knee

Johnny Sexton is being linked with a shock return to France.

An Irish media guessing game regarding Johnny Sexton’s health was finally provided with an official update on Friday after Leinster unveiled their XV to face Northampton on Saturday in Dublin.

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Ever since Sexton was injured during his province’s comprehensive round three win over the Saints at Franklin’s Gardens last Saturday, there has been much media speculation surrounding the well-being of the talisman playmaker’s knee. 

Some media had him ruled out of the early part of the 2020 Six Nations under incoming Ireland boss Andy Farrell while others speculated he would be back fit in time for his country’s campaign which opens on February 1 versus Scotland if not even before then in the Champions Cup with Leinster. 

It has now emerged that those predicting he would be raring to go for the start of the Farrell era might have had the better hunch, judging by what Leinster boss Leo Cullen had to say at a media conference ahead of Saturday’s European game which is set to attract a crowd in excess of 40,000 to Aviva Stadium.

“He is seeing somebody in the UK and he will go back there just to get an update in a couple of weeks,” explained Cullen about what has been going on this week with his veteran out-half after he seemed to hurt some knee ligaments at Northampton. 

(Continue reading below…)

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“But he is working hard to try and get himself back as quickly as possible. He won’t be a million miles away hopefully. He is making good progress.

“You could see he twisted his knee and, like I said, he is seeing a specialist. He is under control and on the mend now.”

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The million dollar question, though, was when precisely fans might see Sexton back on the field of play in 2020 – with Leinster in Europe, with Ireland at the start of the Six Nations or deeper into that campaign under Farrell?

Cullen leaned towards the second option. “You would love if he was back (for Leinster), but it’s probably more realistic for Ireland, I think, yeah.”

With Sexton currently laid-up, the Leinster captaincy for their rematch with the Saints has passed onto Scott Fardy, the Australian who will lead an XV that is also minus Ronan Kelleher, the impressive young hooker who has suffered a hand injury.

LEINSTER: 15. Jordan Larmour; 14. Dave Kearney, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe; 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Luke McGrath; 1. Cian Healy, 2. James Tracy, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Scott Fardy (capt), 5. James Ryan, 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris. Reps: 16. Bryan Byrne, 17. Ed Byrne, 18. Andrew Porter, 19. Devin Toner, 20. Max Deegan, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Rob Kearney.

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NORTHAMPTON: 15. Ahsee Tuala; 14. Ollie Sleightholme, 13. Matt Proctor, 12. Andy Symons, 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro; 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Connor Tupai; 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. Michael Van Vuuren, 3. Paul Hill, 4. Api Ratuniyarawa, 5. Alex Coles, 6. Tom Wood (capt), 7. Jamie Gibson, 8. Lewis Ludlam. Reps: 16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Alex Waller, 18. Ehren Painter, 19. Lewis Bean, 20. JJ Tonks, 21. James Mitchell, 22. James Grayson, 23. Fraser Dingwall.

WATCH: Follow all the action from the Heineken Champions Cup in the RugbyPass Live Match Centre with commentary, stats, news and more, plus live streaming in some places – click Sign Up Now to see what is available in your region    

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J
JW 1 hour ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

The opening loss to Argentina by 38-30..

Was anything but fine margins, the scoreline was flattering for that game. They were beat in every margin but most emphatically be effort of Argentina. They were slow and likely arrogant in their prep following the England series. You can see the effect on the selection and poor messaging all the playmakers started receiving from the coaching setup there after.


Otherwise though there was also a lot of really good stuff that can too easily be labelled as lucky by people intent on making a point. The team was far from certain and clinical though and the best that can be said of their losses was that they were largely due to some atrocious decisions with cards twice against SA and the neckroll last weekend (you can't take away the 14 point try, that is typical French rugby and to be expected).


This team is good enough to be able to cope with those sorts of difficulties if they could just execute a bit better (but only as well as they have traditionally mind you). Sound selections aside. Some good positivity in this article but we know it's not going to be easy as the ABs have just been trying to return to their DNA after Fosters control but countries like Aussie have a much bigger task in that respect and SA is even trying to change their DNA (again). Those two opponents (along with France obviously) are going to provide some tough competition in seeing who can lead into the 2027 RWC with the best prospects and form behind them.

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