Leinster won’t take risk with Johnny Sexton
The Ireland out-half sat out last weekend’s opening defeat of Castres in Dublin with what head coach Leo Cullen described as a low grade one hamstring tear and instead did some light running the morning of the game.
Sexton will be given every chance to prove his fitness but the performance in his absence of young Joey Carbery last Saturday suggests the jersey will be in good hands at the Altrad Stadium, regardless of its occupant.
“We always knew we’d a capable guy with Joey, but he did a super job and at every stage Joey has taken it in his stride,” said assistant coach John Fogarty. “He’s a very calm kid and he’s taken it very well.
We know he can do a really good job. However, Johnny’s a world class number 10 who has done it on the highest stage and we want to make sure he returns to play in the right way and hopefully he can by Friday. We’ll see.”
One man definitely out is flanker Rhys Ruddock who tore a calf against Castres, while tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong is highly doubtful after suffering a hamstring injury in the same game.
Lock Mike McCarthy is fully over a foot injury and is available for selection. So too are the back rows Sean O’Brien and Jack Conan, who both came through their reintroduction to competitive rugby with the A side in Richmond at the weekend.
Calls will be made on winger Dave Kearney (ankle) and hooker Richardt Strauss (knee) later this week.
Meanwhile Munster are continuing preparations towards Saturday’s Champions Cup game with Glasgow at Thomond Park. European tournament organisers are understood to respect the wishes of both Munster and Foley’s family while decisions are ongoing regarding Saturday’s Champions Cup match against Glasgow.
Munster A’s British & Irish Cup clash at Doncaster Knights on Saturday has been postponed, at Munster’s request.
