Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong set to be fit for Ireland’s Six Nations campaign

Mon, 09 Jan, 2023 - 15:05

By PA Sport Staff

Leinster say that Ireland internationals Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong are expected to be fit ahead of this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship.

Fly-half Sexton suffered a cheekbone injury in the United Rugby Championship game against Connacht on January 1st, and underwent a procedure.

He missed the URC appointment with Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday, and will also sit out Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm next weekend.

Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday's game in the Heineken Champions Cup away to Gloucester

Update: https://t.co/dniZM036gD #GLOvLEI #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/60bKqGk0FO

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 9, 2023

“He will be further assessed next week, but is expected to be back ahead of the Six Nations,” Leinster said.

Ireland, the world-ranked number one team, visit Wales for their Six Nations opener on February 4th.

Andy Farrell’s side then have a potential title-defining appointment with France in Dublin seven days later.

Sexton, who has won 109 caps, missed two of Ireland’s three Autumn Nations Series Tests this season because of injury.

Leinster and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong — Tadhg Furlong, centre, will miss Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup against Gloucester (David Davies/PA)

Prop Furlong, meanwhile, had recovered from an ankle problem but suffered what Leinster described as “a minor setback” in training last week when he picked up an unrelated calf injury.

Furlong is out of the Gloucester encounter, but is expected to be available before the Six Nations.

Leinster conclude their Champions Cup pool programme by hosting Racing 92 on January 21st, then face URC opponents Cardiff in Dublin seven days later.