RUGBY

What does injury trouble mean for Ireland’s Johnny Sexton ahead of Autumn Nations Cup game against England?

Ireland’s Johnny Sexton has again suffered further injury trouble after picking up a hamstring injury against Wales in the Autumn Nations Cup.

The 35-year-old Ireland captain limped off the field in the first half of his sides 32-9 victory over Wales with Conor Murray stepping in at fly half for the rest of the game.

Many sides often target Sexton and attempt to put pressure on him to stop his play making abilities which has resulted in the Irishmen nursing a number of injuries throughout his career.

With Sexton coming towards the latter end of his career, there have been questions over how long he will be able to continue at international level. The fly-half will have had his eye on next summers British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa after playing a key part on the last two tours to Australia and New Zealand but his selection is in doubt with pressure from other nations. The likes of Owen Farrell, Finn Russell and Dan Biggar have had strong season’s domestically and internationally.

However, his Ireland place seems secure injury permitting with inconsistency in selection of back up options with injury causing havoc for head coach Andy Farrell. Munster’s Joey Carbery seems like the successor of Sexton but has been experiencing injury troubles since the start of the year and Connacht’s Jack Carty appears to have fallen out of favour.

Former Gloucester fly-half Billy Burns made his international debut on Saturday but is a doubt to face England after leaving the field for a head injury assessment and will now follow return to play protocols.

It was also revealed today that his Leinster teammate Robbie Henshaw had received abductor muscle injury which also rules him out of Saturday’s game against England.

Ireland duo Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw to miss Autumn Nations Cup match against England.

However, there was some positive news for Ireland in the form of the return of experienced second row Iain Henderson after an unconfirmed medical issue.

Farrell was impressed following his sides dominant victory over Wales in the first round of the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup, saying:

“I thought our defensive lineout was better as well and took some ball off them. Again, to be dominant you need a good defence and I thought our defence was physical. Good off the line.

“Any side that comes to the Aviva that doesn’t come away with a try, you’ve got to be pleased with that. Those couple of things have to be right for a dominant performance.”

“We’re a new group that’s trying to get as cohesive as we possibly can, as soon as we possibly can. Because that’s what international rugby is all about.” Said Farrell.

Ireland travel to Twickenham on Saturday to face inform England who thrashed a plucky Georgia side 40-0.

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