Ireland's star flyhalf suffers injury in training
INJURY UPDATE: Ireland’s World Cup preparations are not been going according to plan.
The Irish Independent revealed that star flyhalf and World Rugby Player of the Year Johnny Sexton is unable to participate in full training due to a hand injury he suffered during the first two-week bloc of training that took place between June 16 and 28.
It is believed Sexton dislocated his thumb which will keep him sidelined for a maximum of six weeks.
Sexton’s injury is not ideal for Ireland, but it should not threaten his participation in this year’s World Cup in Japan
There is a chance the 33-year-old could be involved his team’s opening World Cup warm-up game against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on August 10.
Sexton’s absence from full training does open the door for flyhalves Joey Carbery, Jack Carty and Ross Byrne to impress the Irish coaching staff and book a spot on the plane to Japan.
Sexton and Carbery will almost certainly be part of Joe Schmidt’s final World Cup squad, which leaves Carty and Byrne with a huge task of trying to get noticed.
Ireland are in Pool A at the World Cup with Scotland, Japan, Russia and Samoa. The Irish will face Scotland in their opening game on Sunday, September 22 in Yokohama City.
Source: Irish Independent
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