Ian Madigan played 55 excellent minutes for Ireland, last Sunday, and has run as presumptive out-half in training all week.
Even a glimpse of the Argentinean media this week would tell you how much Johnny Sexton has been on their minds.
La Nacional and Olé were just two of the bigger Argentine outlets to use multiple column inches on the fitness of Ireland’s number one out-half.
Today, 24 hours out from a massive game between the pro-era foes, our nation laments while Argentina bask in another piece of Irish injury luck. Sexton is out of Sunday’s last eight match in Cardiff.
Was Sexton ever really fit enough to start against Argentina?
It’s doubtful. To say he was, we must take the word of Joe Schmidt, Greg Feek and just about every other optimistic member of the Irish squad that was presented to the media this week.
The facts did not look good.
CONS
- Sexton strained an adductor (hip) muscle making a clearing kick (on 20 minutes) against France. He immediately knew he was in trouble.
- He continued on, at three-quarter pace only to be cut in half by a huge Louis Picamoles hit, five minutes later. A hit so hefty that he vomited on the pitch.
- He left the Millennium Stadium pitch in tears. Surely a sign that his World Cup (or the quarter final at least) was in doubt?
PROS
- Sexton, according to Schmidt, was immediately taking about the Argentina quarter final after the France match.
- On Tuesday, Argentinean paper Olé reported that an IRFU spokesperson rated Sexton as 50/50 to play.
- The 30-year-old ran 3.5 kilometres in a modified training session, on Wednesday. Ireland were “quietly confident” about him making the match-day squad.
- Rumours circulated from Irish camp that Sexton would be named in the starting line-up if he trained fully on Friday morning.
- Sexton pictured, and recorded, by large media contingent as he took part in training run at Millennium Stadium.
- Named in starting line-up to play Argentina. Asked if Sexton is fully fit, Schmidt replies, “Yeah.” He adds, “If he’s fit, he’s fit… We don’t tend to take too many risks with players.”
REALITY
- Sexton withdrawn from Ireland squad.
- IRFU state: “Although scans earlier in the week were normal a further scan yesterday afternoon revealed a very minor adductor strain.”
That tricky, second scan
This is the second time an Irish player has made good progress all the way through a game-week only for a secondary scan to reveal what many expected in the first place.
Jared Payne had bruising around his foot for about a week before a further scan revealed bone fractures.
Only the most cynical/realistic of rugby supporters, and hacks, would suggest that Sexton may not have been quite as fit as his coaches let on. Still, the late, late revelation will have done Argentina, who had their final training session this morning, no favours.
@andymcgeady @patmccarry "He trained fully" pic.twitter.com/4woRnNabpa
— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) October 17, 2015
The Sexton speculation has proved a distraction all week. It has certainly vied for headlines with the Sean O’Brien saga.
There has been talk of Ireland creating World Cup history for the very first time but little of it.
Schmidt would dearly love to have a fully fit Sexton out on the pitch tomorrow but the diversion has certainly muddled with Argentina’s tactics.
Take minor victories where you can find them.
Cometh the hour, cometh the ‘Mads’.
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