Joe Schmidt has confirmed that Sean O'Brien will miss Ireland's next Six Nations encounter with England. The flanker has been ruled out with a torn hamstring while Dave Kearney is highly unlikely to feature at Twickenham due to the shoulder injury he suffered against France.
"Sean O'Brien, unfortunately he's got a Grade Two hamstring tear so that will make him unavailable for the England game," the Ireland coach told Irish Rugby TV on Monday afternoon. "We'll see how he tracks beyond that."
Kearney was another first half casualty at the Stade de France, the winger leaving the fray shortly after being hit with a shuddering high tackle from the French hooker Guilhem Guirado that could yet result in a citing.
While Mike McCarthy is another concern following the concussion he sustained in the second half, Schmidt was slightly more positive about the prospects of Johnny Sexton being available when Ireland travel to London on Saturday week.
“Mike McCarthy obviously suffered concussion and he will follow the return to play protocols. We’ll also get him to see a specialist, just because the nature of the impact . . . you’ve got Jonathan Sexton, again his neck and shoulder. It’s more of a whiplash injury but he is certainly feeling a lot better 48 hours post-match.”
Schmidt, speaking separately to RTE Sport, took the opportunity to criticise “external pundits” who have suggested Sexton needs to consider his future in the sport due to his injury profile.
“That’s not a head injury at all.
“It’s always frustrating when external pundits start making medical diagnosis from something that they see or think happens.
“We’ve had Johnny totally checked out and he is very comfortable today.
“I’ve spoken to him this morning. It’s very much just a stiff neck and shoulder, and he should be fine to train later on this week.”
Reflecting on the 10-9 defeat in Paris, Schmidt again pointed to Ireland’s inability to convert pressure into points in the first half. But despite that “disappointment” and “frustration”, Schmidt believes his side will improve against England.
“We don’t feel that we’re too far away. A draw and a one-point loss, it doesn’t reflect well on the championship table but it probably reflects well on the character of the players who are stepping into the breach and doing a really good job.
“So they’re going to roll their sleeves up on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to do some preparatory stuff. And, as I said, hopefully we can charge into the England week and chase a better result in Twickenham.”
