Schmidt ponders Sexton run out

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt will decide Thursday whether or not Jonathan Sexton will feature against Munster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.

The Ireland out-half was due to make his first start in the Magners League tie against Cardiff at the RDS two weeks ago but pulled a quad muscle in the warm-up. That frustration was compounded Friday evening when he was again removed from the starting line-up shortly before that evening’s fixture in Edinburgh.

Isa Nacewa and Ian Madigan have shared the out-half duties in Sexton’s absence but Schmidt must weigh up the pros and cons of playing his first choice 10 in the first competitive rugby game at the new Lansdowne Road venue.