Disaster. Johnny Sexton's injury timeline, according to the Ireland management, is that the 30 year old felt tightness in his groin on Friday after training. A new scan, following previous scans earlier in the week showing no strain, uncovered "a very minor adductor strain."
This updated medical condition, very minor, is in line with the slightly bruised foot that ended Jared Payne’s World Cup, which was updated to a fracture reportedly after he trained on it.
"(Johnny) trained fully yesterday and had a bit of tightness so was sent for a scan which showed the strain," said Simon Easterby. "The good thing is guys have been running in and out all week..."
Easterby went on to accentuate the positives of Ian Madigan’s current form.
Isaac Boss has been called up as scrumhalf cover for Madigan who will now give his "full focus" to playing outhalf but they refused to rule Sexton out of the World Cup. Boss arrived as Payne's replacement.
Paddy Jackson moves onto the bench as Madigan's understudy.
The wonder is if Sexton was ever fit enough to play in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
“As far as we were concerned we were doing the right things with Johnny and Mads has stepped in and out like he would normally in the week,” Easterby continued. “It was no different really this week - Johnny trained yesterday and unfortunately pulled up afterwards and felt a bit of tightness. These things happen. We weren’t prepared to take that risk in such an important game.”
Of course it has been a very different week and these things don’t just happen on the scale of losing four of the core leadership group - two confirmed as permanent (Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony who, following medical procedures, have returned to the Hilton hotel), Sean O’Brien to suspension for striking Pascal Papé and now Sexton.
Easterby didn’t know if Sexton would be fit for a World Cup semi-final next weekend should Ireland progress.
“It’s a minor strain,” he repeated.
Easterby was asked if Sexton’s groin problem was his only injury.
“Yep.”
Is it more beneficial that Sexton is ruled out now, the day before the game, rather than earlier in the week, as Argentina would have been preparing for Sexton and not Madigan?
“Possibly...It may be the case but they would have had to prepare for Mads and Johnny. I’m guessing they will be well prepared for either option.”
Recently promoted Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip didn’t sugar coat the loss of Sexton.
“It’s massive, you know? Missing Johnny, Pete, Paul, JP as well, they are all guys you’d like to be able to have in your squad but that’s the nature of the game. Guys get banged up. You got to play with the hand you are dealt with.”
“It’s not ideal but it is what it is,” Heaslip replied when asked how he was coping with disintegration of the leadership group.
“Paul and Johnny are still up there and Pete is gate crashing for the weekend so it’s great to see the guys adding their presence around.
“We focus more on the strength of the collective.
“Granted, Johnny is one of the best outhalves out there but Ian, from playing with him for the last few years, is a bloody good player.
“We got to stay task focus and on what the collective can do. Over the last two and a half years that’s been our strength.”
Regarding O’Connell’s presence in a supportive manner, Heaslip added: “Someone like Paul you want him around and he’s going to stay around with us.”
