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Sexton failed HIA after 'stamp on the head' claims Schmidt

Johnny Sexton (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says star flyhalf Jonny Sexton was forced off after he failed a HIA.

Sexton suffered a nasty-looking facial injury as the British and Irish Lions talisman copped a string of big hits from the hosts, leaving Munster fly-half Carbery to pilot Ireland home.

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Schmidt – talking to the BBC in his post match interview – suggested that the Irish pivot was targeted by Scotland and that the HIA came as a result of a ‘stamp’.

The New Zealander suggested that Sexton – who he described as a ‘hub for us’ – was once again on the receiving end of targeting.

“He got a bit of a stamp on the head, he got a little bit of treatment out there. He’s feeling okay so we dont’ feel it’s going to be long term and we’d expect him to bounce back in a couple of weeks”.

Joey Carbery ultimately steered Ireland to a redemptive but patchy 22-13 Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland, as Joe Schmidt’s men edged back to winning ways in Edinburgh.

Conor Murray, Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls all crossed for Ireland, while Sam Johnson replied for Scotland with Greig Laidlaw posting eight points from the boot.

Conor Murray capitalised on a mix-up between Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland to score the opening try after Greig Laidlaw put Gregor Townsend’s side in front, while Jacob Stockdale added a second for the visitors.

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Stuart Hogg went off with a shoulder injury in an open first half, yet a first international score from Sam Johnson – converted by Laidlaw – reduced the deficit to 12-10 at the break.

Joe Schmidt’s men were not to be denied a fifth win in Six Nations matches against Scotland, though, with Joey Carbery – standing in for the talismanic Sexton at fly-half – laying on a try for Keith Earls and also scoring five points with the boot.

Laidlaw added another penalty midway through the second half, but that was all Scotland were able to muster after the break as they failed to build on an opening win over Italy.

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OPTA FACTS

– Ireland have now won their last three away games in the Six Nations – they last achieved the same feat in 2010-2011.

– Scotland have failed to score a second-half try in nine of their last 11 Six Nations games against Ireland, including each of their last seven Six Nations encounters at Murrayfield.

– Stockdale has eight tries in just seven Six Nations matches for Ireland – only six Irish players have more in the Championships since 2000.

– Ireland’s Rob Kearney has become the third player to reach 100 defenders beaten in the history of the Six Nations (Brian O’Driscoll 163, George North 105).

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Nickers 37 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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