Well this is both scary and disappointing
We told you earlier this week that there were real fears that
Johnny Sexton might miss some of Ireland's Six Nations title defence in the spring after suffering concussion during the win over Australia last month.
Well the Top 14 side have now confirmed that the fly-half suffered two concussions during that win at the Aviva and will not play any rugby until February 14th at the earliest.
That's the date of Ireland's game against France in the Six Nations but considering he won't be allowed have full-contact training until after February 7th, it seems unlikely that he will feature for Joe Schmidt.
Speaking on the Racing Metro website today Sexton says 'It is most unfortunate and I feel bad for the club. But I’m still not feeling 100%, and with injuries like this it’s not worth taking any risks.
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Sexton is to undergo monitoring by two independent neurologists on February 7
th before he can be allowed to play again. Ireland open their Six Nations defence against Italy on that date in Rome and after that face France the following week at the Aviva.
They then host England on March 1st, face Wales in Cardiff on the 14th and the campaign concludes away to Scotland on the 21st in Murrayfield.
Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson are the players most likely to benefit from the news and it's just another key injury for Schmidt to worry about in what has been an horrendous year for Ireland's rugby players in terms of injury.
