Leinster Issue Johnny Sexton Injury Update

Johnny Sexton looks set to return to action against Zebre this weekend.

The Irish playmaker has not played since limping off against New Zealand with a hamstring injury last month. Leinster have since been monitoring his progress at the Santry Sports Clinic and after a return to training last week, the province expect to have him available for Friday’s visit of Italian side Zebre.

Sexton’s return comes at a crucial period in Leinster’s season as they return to Champions Cup action following the Zebre clash. It will also mean Sexton will get some much needed high-level competition before Ireland’s 2017 Six Nations campaign.

Girvan Dempsey was speaking at Leinster’s training base today and revealed that they want to make sure he’s 100% before returning and believe this weekend he should be.

They wanted to get to the crux of the issue and try and resolve it,” Dempsey said.

“It wasn’t a case of: ‘just get him back and roll him out there’. They wanted to use the time and try to get him 100%, get to the root of the problem and hopefully that will be the end of it.

“I think they have resolved it. He trained with us last week, he’s training (with Ireland) now. Rehab has gone really well, so hopefully you’ll see him play this weekend.”

With Joey Carbery suffering an ankle injury away to Northampton in December and Cathal Marsh nearing a return from a hand injury, Ross Byrne was left as Leo Cullen’s only out-half for most of the last month. But a Sexton return this week would be a timely boost before the last two rounds of the Champions Cup pool stage.

“You’re trying to build those combinations and for him to be back involved last week was very important.

“It was great to have him back running around last week, he got a feel for it.

“I think it will be hugely important. Rounds five and six against a strong Montpellier side and then away to Castres will determine where we finish in the pool.”