Murray Kinsella reports from Murrayfield
JOE SCHMIDT SAYS Johnny Sexton suffered a head injury in the first-half of Ireland’s 22-13 win over Scotland in Edinburgh.
The Leinster man had a tough 23-minute shift at Murrayfield, shipping several heavy hits from Scotland, before being replaced by Joey Carbery.
Speaking post-match, Ireland boss Schmidt said Sexton had failed his Head Injury Assessment after taking a blow in the build-up his side’s second try.
“Johnny failed an HIA,” said Schmidt. “It was in the lead-up to our second try, really. He hit the ground quite hard but he’s pretty good now. So we’d be pretty confident that he’d bounce back quickly.
“We’re always going to err on the side of caution with those just because we want to look after people.”
Sexton took some heavy punishment in the tackle from Scotland but Schmidt underlined that it had worked against the hosts for the Jacob Stockdale try.
“It’s because he is who he is,” said Schmidt of the big hits on Sexton. “That’s going to happen.
“He probably knew he was only going to play 20 minutes so he tried to jam it all into one quarter. He certainly got into a few contact situations.
“His pass release for Jacob to get the space in the set play was perfect. You know, the guy maybe could have got to Jacob if he wasn’t that intent on getting at Johnny, so sometimes that works to our advantage.
“He got the first knock there and then another knock a little bit after that, so it was a little bit cumulative really. He got a stamp on the ankle and it was really when they [Ireland's medical team] were going on to treat that that they decided he wasn’t 100% and that they needed to do an HIA and he didn’t pass the HIA.”
Schmidt indicated that the stamp on Sexton had not been deliberate and was actually friendly fire.
“He copped a stamp,” said Schmidt. “I don’t even think it was a Scottish foot, it was one of our guys who tripped over him.”
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Carbery played very well. Why rush Sexton back?
@Tomás O’Loughlin: cause Sexton is better probably.
@Tomás O’Loughlin: Have there been calls to rush him back?
@Conor Matthews: Read the headline.
@mrbryanrussell: He is a wasn’t today. We don’t need him against Italy.
@Tomás O’Loughlin: Can you read? It says they expect him to bounce back quickly. Nothing about rushing him.
@grandslamkbo: Then. Why. Did. They. Say. It.
@Tomás O’Loughlin: If not to calm nerves? I can read plenty. I’m also not fackin stupid. They rushed out a statement, I commented. End of story.
The BBC got a bit obsessed about Peter o Mahony and Hogg
Italy nxt will give the wounded at least three weeks to recover
@Colgate:
Cant go half hearted out there either,wales didnt excatley put em to the sword today!?
Sexton is probably the bravest player I have ever seen. He delays the pass as long as he can to release the player beside him all the while knowing he is going to get smashed. He does this week after week and keeps getting up for more. What bravery ….
Johnny is the best 10 in world rugby and was immense again today. Set up Stockdale try superbly. Sad to see him have to leave so early but totally contributed to that victory. Rob Kearney was sensational and was a contender for motm. Healy, Furlong and Seanie did the grunt work. Not sure Best will make it the world cup. Great win and just what we needed with the Scots our first game in the WC. O’Mahoney justified motm jist!!
@Gerry Maher: why would best not make the world cup?? 100 % lineout solid scrum nuisance at breakdown saved certain try but or course morons always have something to say
If I was Sexton I’d possibly Consider Retirement.The amount of knocks to the head he gets.Always seems to be getting these knocks because he is targeted.Would he not be concerned in his future his brain will be Messed up,I know I would
@Mark Gouldsbury: maybe you should retire you comments if that’s the same… Just sayin
@Mark Gouldsbury: Well, you’re not Sexton and he has already said he wants another Lions tour.
@Mark Gouldsbury: please tell us the last time he failed a HIA? Maybe you should ask why refs allow a player to be targeted and hit without the ball.
Rubbish, sexton will be fine. Fairly obvious he was targeted as always but today felt more so or whether he was pushing it more too. Shows we can lose him and win. What’s needed. Always great to have around but life goes on without him.
How many failed HIAs is it now. The irfu need to retire him
Carbury is the better place kicker ! Probably needs more games , now might be his moment with sexton injured .
Alright Partridge