Joe Schmidt refuses to be drawn on England boss Jones' remarks about Sexton

By Brendan O'Brien

Joe Schmidt has refused to bite on comments made by his England counterpart after Eddie Jones spoke of Jonathan Sexton's so-called ‘whiplash’ injury suffered against France and how his parents would be concerned by it.

Sexton’s well-being has been a regular debate in Irish rugby circles since being stood down for three months in 2014 after a run of concussions and, while there have been no repeats since, the Leinster ten has had to contend with numerous other injury issues.

Jonathan Sexton has had issues with concussion.

“Sexton is an interesting one,” said Jones in his press conference on Friday. “They’ve talked about him having whiplash injury, which is not a great thing to talk about. I’m sure his mother and father would be worried about that. Hopefully, the lad’s alright on Saturday to play.”

Jones was speaking less than an hour before Schmidt revealed a starting side for Saturday’s Twickenham clash that includes Test new boys Josh van der Flier and Stuart McCloskey – and a fully fit Sexton – and the Ireland coach responded diplomatically.

“Those extraneous things, we are probably less affected by them than you people are, to be honest, because if we are distracted by that then it is something we are wasting energy and time on,” said Schmidt. “We get little enough time together as it is. We’re all about making sure that we can be organised, enthusiastic, well-covered and not distracted.

“People are within their rights to make whatever observation they like from outside the environment, but we know how things are inside the environment. We know how eager, fit and able the players are and he is a good example of someone who is very eager and I think you will see that this Saturday.”

It will be a big day for McCloskey and van der Flier, as well as Connacht lock Ultan Dillane who is set to make his first cap off the bench. Though enforced by injury, the new blood has at least injected some expectation into a campaign that has yet to deliver a win.

Ulster's Stuart McCloskey will make his Ireland bow on Saturday.

McCloskey’s outing at midfield has been anticipated for some time. The big Ulster centre will play inside Robbie Henshaw who slides out to 13 in the absence of the hamstrung Jared Payne who was a vital defensive lynchpin in Schmidt’s operations.

No wonder then that the coach admitted to both excitement and apprehension.

“They are equal measure. I am always nervous and apprehension, even when we make no changes from week to week. Even when we would be well favoured to win a game I would be apprehensive.

It is a very human reaction to be apprehensive, but also we all get excited about something new. I am excited to see what does get delivered.

Ireland (v England): R Kearney; A Trimble, R Henshaw, S McCloskey, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, M Ross, D Ryan, D Toner, CJ Stander, J van der Flier, J Heaslip.

Replacements: R Strauss, C Healy, N White, U Dillane, R Ruddock, E Reddan, I Madigan, S Zebo.