Monday Round-Up

Caution with Sexton. Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has confirmed that removing Jonathan Sexton from the Six Nations clash with England yesterday was simply a precautionary move, after some minor complaints of a hamstring problem. Sexton, who once agin played the commander in chief for Schmidt’s side on the field at the Aviva Stadium, was taken off with about 20 minutes left on the clock, having just kicked the conversion for the Robbie Henshaw try which would ultimately seal the game for the hosts. With Ireland looking good money for the win and comfortable in holding out the English attack, Schmidt felt it best to remove his star player, with one eye on the Cardiff fixture with Wales in two weeks time. Elsewhere, Sean O’Brien is being monitored in the aftermath of a head clash midway through the opening half, but Schmidt says there are no major concerns over the Leinster man’s fitness as it stands. O”Brien will undergo HIA protocols before the clash in Cardiff but is expected to be fit to take his place in the starting XV. Meanwhile, Paul O’Connell confirmed he is yet to make a final decision on whether this Six Nations will be his last campaign with Ireland. At 35, much speculation has emerged that this will be the Munster man’s final year in the green jersey, culminating in a World Cup in England, however that remains up for debate according to the man himself. 

Freuan out for season: The Crusaders have today confirmed that Robbie Fruean will most the entirety of the Super Rugby season, having undergone surgery to repair damage to a broken arm. Fruean, who was making his first appearance of the season on the weekend in the Crusaders’ heavy loss at the hands of the Chiefs, went under the knife over the weekend and is now likely to be out of action for between four and five months. In a best-case scenario, Fruean is expected to complete his rehabilitation program by mid July.

Ryan Sheady