RTÉ Rugby analyst Tony Ward believes that Johnny Sexton is a big doubt for the start of the Six Nations but that Ireland can cope without him.
Sexton lasted just five minutes into Leinster’s record 51-10 Champions Cup defeat away to Wasps after he collided with Brendan Macken.
It was initially thought that the Ireland out-half had failed a head injury assessment but Leinster said today that that wasn't the case and that the outhalf had been taken off as a precaution.
However, given Sexton's history of concussion injuries, some doubt remains as to whether he’ll be back for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Wales in Dublin on Sunday week.
"I would be concerned that he’d be available for the opening game and if he’s not, well so be it."
Speaking to RTÉ, Ward expressed his concern for Sexton’s well-being and said: “Like everybody I think concussion is a massive issue in the modern game and I’d be concerned looking at Johnny and looking at his demeanour when he was coming off the field.
“I would be concerned that he’d be available for the opening game and if he’s not, well so be it. We’ve got to get on with it but he will be a massive loss for obvious reasons and I guess that’s the dilemma.
“At the end of the day the welfare of the players going forward is paramount and it has to be at the absolute top of the IRFU agenda in every way.”
That Leinster defeat was part of a mixed weekend for Irish provinces in the Champions Cup. Munster's victory in Treviso was not enough to get them into contention to qualify while Ulster also bowed out of the competition despite a 56-3 victory over Oyonnax.
It’s the first time since 1998 that there has been no Irish team at the knockout stage of Europe’s premier competition, although Connacht did book their place in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.
Despite Leinster, Ulster and Munster’s failure to shine in Europe, Ward remains confident that this will just be a blip.
“It’s disappointing but I’m not overly wrapped up in doom and gloom,” he said.
“I believe this is cyclical and I think there were some mitigating factors too.
“It was immediately after the World Cup and we had a lot of injuries at the time. The English did have an advantage and our problems began in the opening round against Wasps and Saracens.
“[The English clubs] had that much more time to prepare because they went of the World Cup at the Pool stage and if you lose your opening game, particularly at home, you’re playing catch-up.
“I don’t think it’s the end of the world, I know the talent that’s coming through and I know the Irish teams will be back. Also I would add that t he French and English federations need us. They need a competitive and vibrant Irish challenge.”
