Concern for Andy Farrell as another key man is hit with injury

With the Ireland squad set to be announced in the coming days, Andy Farrell has received another potential blow to his squad following the news that Jonathan Sexton had suffered what Leinster described as a "minor hamstring injury".

Leinster are still yet to provide more clarity on Sexton's injury but he has been ruled out of this weekend’s Guinness Pro14 meeting with Benetton. The Ireland skipper was withdrawn midway through the first half of the 35-5 thrashing of Dragons last Friday with a leg issue and it's hoped the 35-year old will be fit in time for Ireland's Six Nations resumption at home to Italy on October 24.

News from Munster will cause further concerns for Farrell after the Province issued an injury update. Munster confirmed that Ireland winger Keith Earls is currently rehabbing a back injury. While not going into any detail on the injury, the news has casted doubt over his involvement for Ireland for the rest of the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup. Earls has been a regular test start, when fit, for Ireland. 

There were further injuries for Ireland in the Leinster ranks with Max Deegan undergoing scans on the knee injury he picked up while Andrew Porter is another man nursing a hamstring problem. The prop hasn't been ruled out of the trip to Italy just yet, but will be further assessed.

It isn't all bad news for Farrell's men as Munster confirmed that Conor Murray is expected to train this week having recovered from a tigh injury while Leinster said that Dan Leavy continues to inch closer to a return from a long-term knee injury, although he won't play against Benetton, with Leinster saying he is being "further managed".

Leinster also provided positive news on Dave Kearney who could be involved on Saturday, having increased his training load as he recovers from a hamstring injury.