LEINSTER'S HEAD COACH LEO CULLEN has admitted that Johnny Sexton's cheekbone injury is not as bad as first reported and has also hinted that he could even make the Ireland Six Nations squad next month.
Sexton, last week was ruled out of this year's spring event due to a cheekbone injury he picked up in the URC against Connacht on New Year's day.
The out half also had to sit out Leinster's 24-19 win over the Ospreys in Swansea last weekend.
Last November, the Leinster man missed two of Ireland's two Autumn Nations Series Tests against Fiji (dead leg) and Australia (calf) in November because of injury.
He also missed the huge clash against France in round 2 of the 2022 Six Nations campaign, where Ireland suffered their only defeat of the campaign in Paris.
Huge boost for Ireland ahead of the Six Nations.
Leo Cullen says Johnny Sexton's injury was "reasonably minor" and that "you're only talking weeks" for his recovery:https://t.co/hIqLzAyNoX— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) January 8, 2023
Ireland, the world-ranked No 1 team, visited Wales for their Six Nations opener on February 4, before welcoming France to Dublin in a potential title-defining match in Round 2 on February 11.
Hoever reported have emerged that Leinster's Leo Cullen has given a more positive outlook on the Sexton situation.
"Johnny Sexton won’t feature next week. You are only talking weeks, it’s all about how it settles down and how he heals,” said Leo Cullen.
“It’s reasonably minor, a few weeks, but next weekend will definitely be too soon. I thought Harry Byrne was good in his first start of the season and it was good for him to get through 55 minutes.
“Ross Byrne then came on after he wasn’t involved the previous weekend because Jonny played.
2023 Guinness Six Nations fixtures
February 4 – Wales v Ireland (2.15pm), England v Scotland (4.45pm)
February 5 – Italy v France (3pm)
February 11 – Ireland v France (2.15pm), Scotland v Wales (4.45pm)
February 12 – England v Italy (3pm)
February 25 – Italy v Ireland (2.15pm), Wales v England (4.45pm)
February 26 – France v Scotland (3pm)
March 11 – Italy v Wales (2.15pm), England v France (4.45pm)
March 12 – Scotland v Ireland (3pm)
March 18 – Scotland v Italy (12.30pm), France v Wales (2.45pm),
Ireland v England (5pm).
