Ireland set to receive Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong boost

Ireland have received a much-needed boost ahead of the upcoming Six Nations tournament with Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong set to be available for the tournament.

Sexton sustained a cheekbone injury while playing for Leinster against Connacht and had surgery to repair the issue last week.

Even though he will be unavailable for Leinster's Champions Cup game against Gloucester, head coach Leo Cullen feels the Ireland captain is set to be available before the Six Nations tournament.

“Johnny Sexton won’t feature next week. You are only talking weeks, it’s all about how it settles down and how he heals,” Cullen told reporters.

“It’s reasonably minor, a few weeks, but next weekend will definitely be too soon. I thought Harry Byrne was good in his first start of the season and it was good for him to get through 55 minutes (against Ospreys).

“Ross Byrne then came on after he wasn’t involved the previous weekend because Jonny played. We have started three different No 10s in our last three games, and similarly at No 9.

“It’s all about people getting a genuine opportunity and ensuring everyone is ready for the big games when they are called upon. That’s what we’ve been focusing on in the last three weeks and it has been particularly pleasing to get two big wins away at Munster and here.”

Meanwhile, Furlong, who was nursing an ankle injury suffered another setback with a calf issue during training and like Sexton will be unavailable for the weekend encounter but is expected to be fit for the Six Nations opener against Wales on 4th February.