Leinster/Ireland take ‘combined approach’ to Johnny Sexton

Leinster are keeping a watching brief on Johnny Sexton, who picked up a grade one hamstring injury playing in Ireland's first match against New Zealand in early November.

Coach Leo Cullen has clarified that they are now taking a combined approach to the treatment of his injury and that he has spent some time this week in Dublin's Santry clinic undergoing assessments.

“Johnny picked up a grade one hamstring strain in that game against New Zealand so…I suppose he picked up a similar one in training with Leinster as well during the early part of our European campaign,” said Cullen.

“He’s a key player in Irish rugby and everyone wants to get him back playing so…..there has been a bit of a combined approach in trying to get him right. That’s our priority.

“He spent a bit of time out in Santry this week and we’ll see how he gets on out there and get a report early next week and we can make assessments based on that.”

Leinster were hoping that the Irish outhalf would be available for the third round of their European Champions’ Cup against Northampton in Franklins’ Gardens on December 9th. That date for his return may now be in doubt.

Cullen has had conversations with Irish coach Joe Schmidt, who suggested after Ireland beat Australia that Sexton may need time out from rugby to get his body more "robust."

“You are talking about guys all the time,” added Cullen. “Yeah, we’ll just see how he is how he comes through. We’re just working on a little bit of strength gains at this moment in time and we can make assessment after that

“From our point of view we just want to make sure he’s fully right the next time he goes and plays. He’s had two hamstring tears or strains and we want to make sure he doesn’t have another one.

Leinster had 17 of their squad involved with Ireland during the four match November Series.

Joey Carbery will wear the number 10 jersey for the visit of the Dragons on Saturday evening. James Tracy and Dan Leavy who along with Carbery made their debuts during the November series, come back into the team, as does Luke McGrath at scrumhalf.

Carbery is the only Ireland

LEINSTER (v Newport Gwent Dragons ): Zane Kirchner; Adam Byrne, Rory O'Loughlin, Noel Reid, Isa Nacewa (Captain); Joey Carbery, Luke McGrath; Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Michael Bent; Ross Molony, Hayden Triggs; Rhys Ruddock, Dan Leavy, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Andrew Porter, Jeremy Loughman, Mike McCarthy, Max Deegan, Charlie Rock, Ross Byrne, Tom Daly.

Referee: Marius Mitrea