Johnny Sexton cleared to play Ireland's second Test against New Zealand

Ireland have received a much-needed boost ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Dunedin with skipper Johnny Sexton declared fit.

Sexton was forced to leave the field during the half-hour mark in the opening Test at Eden Park following a collision for a Head Injury Assessment and did not return in the second half.

According to the latest World Rugby regulations, players with concussion symptoms will have to rest for 12 days but assistant coach Mike Catt said the Leinster playmaker has cleared the second stage of the Head Injury Assessment.

"Johnny is fine," Catt told reporters on Tuesday.

"Johnny is fit, Johnny has passed every test that he needs to pass so from our point of view he's good to go."

Meanwhile, New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock will miss the second Test against Ireland due to concussion while Tupou Vaa'i is also ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19.