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Sexton failed HIA after 'stamp on the head' claims Schmidt
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.
Coach Joe Schmidt says Ireland's Johnny Sexton was taken off against Scotland after he failed a head injury assessment.#SCOvIRE reaction ? https://t.co/BkHCpGp693#bbcrugby #SixNations2019 pic.twitter.com/4nuOdQv0H9
— BBC Rugby Union (@bbcrugbyunion) February 9, 2019
“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.
FULL TIME: Scotland 13-22 IRELAND#TeamOfUs #SCOvIRE #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/xJiKQTeyNk
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2019
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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).
