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Johnny Sexton took a blow to the head during Ireland’s 34-10 win over Wales in Cardiff at the weekend and must complete a head injury assessment (HIA) before he can resume training; Ireland face France in Dublin on Saturday
Last updated: 09/02/23 7:55
Johnny Sexton is fit to play for Ireland in their Six Nations clash with France on Saturday
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is eagerly anticipating facing France for the first time in three years after declaring himself fit for Saturday’s “big” Guinness Six Nations clash.
The fly-half has undergone a head injury assessment (HIA) and overcome the dead leg suffered in the first round win against Wales and hopes to avoid further fitness “hiccups” ahead of the potential title winner decider in Dublin.
Grand Slam champion France is the only remaining major nation to lose against Andy Farrell’s Irishman, with Sexton withdrawing late before their previous two encounters due to injury.
Sexton was substituted in the second half of Ireland’s 34-10 win over Wales in their Six Nations opener.
The 37-year-old’s most recent game against Les Bleus was a frustrating 35-27 defeat in Paris at the end of the long-running 2020 tournament when he hit the headlines for his angry reaction to being substituted.
“I said this morning, the last two Wednesdays before France in the last two games that have been completed, to get through today is great,” said Sexton. “I can wait for the game, I hope there are no more interruptions.
“Obviously the confusion about the HIA and stuff, it’s nothing I can control, but I’ll be ready for 80 [minutes] this week if necessary. It feels like a huge game. There is no point in saying anything.
“You can’t just come in here and say ‘it’s just another game’ because no, it’s one we’ve been waiting for a long time and I’ve read that they want this test – come to the Aviva and try and knock us over. It’s a big game.”
Ireland had to complete last year’s consolation Triple Crown after a 30-24 Stade de France defeat, which Sexton watched from the stands due to a hamstring problem.
In 2021, the veteran failed to comply with return-to-play protocol before Dublin’s narrow 15-13 loss to Les Bleus, angered by the French doctor’s “inappropriate” comments about his concussion record.
Sexton missed the last two Six Nations meetings between Ireland and France
“It’s always a big week, often for me something comes out of the woodwork in French week and I look forward to it for a few weeks,” he said. “It’s always a big game; I grew up watching Ireland lose to France, a lot, and then to see the first team beat them and then to be part of the team that beat them was amazing.
“But you still have memories of the little boy from France coming and destroying Ireland. You probably felt the underdog at my age, while the younger boys don’t. It’s a strange mix in the squad.”
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and prop Tadhg Furlong have been ruled out for Ireland, with both also sitting out Ireland’s 34-10 win over Wales on Saturday. Prop Cian Healy, who came off the Ireland bench late against Wales with a hamstring injury, is also absent.
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