Johnny Sexton injury said to be ‘minor’

Johnny Sexton is expected to be available for Ireland's next Six Nations match, against Wales on Saturday March 14th, after his hamstring injury was described as "minor" by the Irish team management.

Sexton was withdrawn after 52 minutes of Ireland's 19-9 win over England yesterday, a result that keeps Grand Slam ambitions firmly on course. That move is thought to have been purely precautionary with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt explaining that Sexton felt a "twinge" in his hamstring after converting Robbie Henshaw's match-winning try.

Subsequent tests have revealed that the injury is not serious although an Irish bulletin released this afternoon failed to clarify whether the outhalf will be released for club duty with Racing Metro this weekend.

Sean O'Brien and Jared Payne both sustained bangs to the head and will follow the return to play protocols. O'Brien, who has just returned after missing much of the last 18 months with a shoulder injury, was replaced after he stumbled badly when trying to get up from a heavy hit in the first half.

“Sean O’Brien, we’re not quite sure how it happened, he’s going to go through the protocols in the next six days,” Schmidt said yesterday.

“He’s certainly asymptomatic at the moment, he’s fine, just a little bit grumpy and disappointed he didn’t get to see out the match.”

James Haskell, meanwhile, insists that Ireland "got away with a lot" at the Aviva Stadium but can only admire the champions' canny approach. The Grand Slam has eluded Stuart Lancaster's men for a fourth successive year and they must hope the unbeaten Irish slip up in their remaining fixtures against Wales and Scotland to keep them relevant to the title race.

Outwitted tactically and outmuscled, subdued England must also examine the brainless indiscipline that played into the hands of the new tournament favourites and that will dominate a frosty debrief this week Lancaster and captain Chris Robshaw looked inwards for criticism, refusing to blame referee Craig Joubert, and his fellow back-row forward Haskell also had no complaints despite believing Ireland had challenged the boundaries of the law book.

“Ireland got it right because you’ve got to play the referee and the conditions,” Haskell said. “They got the rub of the green. It’s not about being street wise, it’s about playing right on the edge and seeing what you can get away with. And I think Ireland got away with a lot.

“We were trying to meet that physical confrontation, but discipline at the breakdown was difficult. I don’t think any decisions really went our way in that area. Ireland imposed themselves very well.”