It’s a good thing for Ireland that we have a few other out-halves in decent form.
We are just 13 days out from the Test match against the All Blacks at Chicago’s Soldier Field and Johnny Sexton is far from fit.
The Leinster 10 lasted only 40 minutes of their Champions Cup clash with Montpellier and was replaced by Joey Carbery at the break.
Sexton has been affected by hamstring issues this season and missed Ireland’s summer tour to South Africa after booking himself in for treatment on an ongoing shoulder problem.
The 31-year-old was excused from kicking duties for the afternoon and Isa Nacewa slotted over Leinster’s only penalty of an attritional first half, in difficult weather conditions.
Leinster trailed 14-3 at the break after Vincent Martin ghosted through a ragged backline and Nemani Nadolo bounded past tackle attempts from Rob Kearney and Luke McGrath.
Mother of God! Nadolo dusts Rob Kearney and Luke McGrath pic.twitter.com/AXNRBLNfae
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 23, 2016
He received the ball 19 times in the half and only made two carries. He looked far from 100% fit and the half-time substitution backed that up.
Sean O’Brien only lasted 40 minutes – replaced by Jordi Murphy – but that was to be expected in his first senior outing of the season.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen told Sky Sports that the substitutions of Sexton and O’Brien were him being “ultra cautious” and stated that both players should be fine to play next week.
Whether or not both start against Connacht next Saturday – seven days out from Ireland vs New Zealand – remains to be seen.
Check out the latest episode of Football: Friday Live
