Johnny Sexton set to return to Leinster for Munster clash, says Leo Cullen

Leo Cullen is confident fly-half Johnny Sexton will be ready for Leinster to face Munster next Saturday in their crucial Guinness PRO12 interprovincial clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Mon, 28 Mar, 2016 - 01:00

Simon Lewis

Head coach Cullen saw his side edged out 7-6 by league leaders Connacht in Galway on Saturday night and lose Ireland internationals Luke Fitzgerald (neck stinger) and Cian Healy (hip) to injury as Leinster fell four points behind the westerners at the top of the table.

With Scarlets threatening their second place and home semi-final status, just two points behind with four to play, and Munster travelling to Dublin with play-off ambitions of their own, the return of Ireland playmaker Sexton to the blue ranks following a bruising Six Nations campaign will be a boost.

Cullen said it was too early to assess the prospects of Healy and Fitzgerald making the weekend’s fixture but of Sexton, rested at the weekend for the trip to Galway, the Leinster boss added: “He had a few bangs in the Six Nations and he will be okay.”

Cullen left the Sportsground frustrated at his side’s failure to reel in Connacht’s 7-0 half-time lead, earned through Kieran Marmion’s converted try. Ian Madigan’s two second-half penalties drew them to within a point but they failed to grab the decisive score, an attacking set of 26 phases in the closing four minutes ending with Ross Molony held up over the line. The ensuing scrums brought a final attack that saw Dominic Ryan stripped by Bundee Aki and Leinster sent home with just a losing bonus point.

“We will turn the page quickly now and look at Munster, they were very impressive in their win against Zebre in reasonably tricky conditions,” Cullen said. “Their backs scored a few tries so that will give them confidence. So from our end, it is trying to focus on getting ourselves right for next week.”