Schmidt reveals Sexton whiplash injury

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has revealed fly-half Johnny Sexton suffered a "whiplash injury" to his neck and shoulder in Ireland's 10-9 RBS 6 Nations defeat to France.

Sexton appeared dazed upon leaving the Stade de France field after several questionable hits on Saturday, but now Ireland boss Schmidt has moved to downplay any fears the 30-year-old suffered a concussion.

Sexton was forced out for 12 weeks in late 2014 owing to four concussions all suffered in a span of 12 months, and has had several further head-injury concerns since.

"Johnny Sexton, with his neck and shoulder, it's more of a whiplash injury," said Schmidt.

"And he is certainly feeling a lot better, 48 hours post-game."

On Monday, French second row Yoann Maestri was cited with a warning for using his shoulder in a tackle which saw the lock lift Sexton off his feet in the 13th minute of Saturday's match, although the citing commissionar stated the tackle fell 'just short of' warranting a red card.

Ireland next face England at Twickenham on Saturday, February 27, and will now allow the Leinster playmaker as much recovery time as possible.

Sexton was only eligible to participate in this year's Six Nations once he had passed the necessary Head Injury Assessments after a blow to the head in Leinster's 51-10 defeat to Wasps last month.

Although Ireland remain hopeful over Sexton's chances of facing England, centre Jared Payne's outlook appears less rosy.

Ireland had revealed Payne played through a dead leg in Paris, staying on because their back cover, Fergus McFadden, had already replaced injured wing Dave Kearney.

Now Ulster's Payne has been revealed to have suffered a hamstring problem, leaving his chances of facing England in serious doubt.

Payne will not train at all with Ireland this week.

Ulster duo Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall are favourites to replace their teammate should Payne fail to recover in time for the Twickenham clash.

Leinster's uncapped centre Garry Ringrose is also in the mix to join the Ireland squad should further cover be required. 

"Jared Payne has got a grade one hamstring strain that he actually did in the first-half against France," said Schmidt.

"Jared said he would go as long as he could, and he was doing a good job for us defensively.

"He certainly won't train this week and we'll have to monitor him in the lead-up to the England game."

Ireland will certainly be without Sean O'Brien for the England clash, with the extent of his latest hamstring problem still being assessed.

Kearney is expected to miss out with his shoulder problem, while Cian Healy and Mike Ross will continue their injury returns by featuring for Leinster again this weekend.

"Cian Healy and Mike Ross got through a bit of time for Leinster last weekend and they will spend some time with us this week before going back to play for Leinster at the weekend," said Schmidt.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has revealed fly-half Johnny Sexton suffered a "whiplash injury" to his neck and shoulder in Ireland's 10-9 RBS 6 Nations defeat to France.

Sexton appeared dazed upon leaving the Stade de France field after several questionable hits on Saturday, but now Ireland boss Schmidt has moved to downplay any fears the 30-year-old suffered a concussion.

Sexton was forced out for 12 weeks in late 2014 owing to four concussions all suffered in a span of 12 months, and has had several further head-injury concerns since.

"Johnny Sexton, with his neck and shoulder, it's more of a whiplash injury," said Schmidt.

"And he is certainly feeling a lot better, 48 hours post-game."

On Monday, French second row Yoann Maestri was cited with a warning for using his shoulder in a tackle which saw the lock lift Sexton off his feet in the 13th minute of Saturday's match, although the citing commissionar stated the tackle fell 'just short of' warranting a red card.

Ireland next face England at Twickenham on Saturday, February 27, and will now allow the Leinster playmaker as much recovery time as possible.

Sexton was only eligible to participate in this year's Six Nations once he had passed the necessary Head Injury Assessments after a blow to the head in Leinster's 51-10 defeat to Wasps last month.

Although Ireland remain hopeful over Sexton's chances of facing England, centre Jared Payne's outlook appears less rosy.

Ireland had revealed Payne played through a dead leg in Paris, staying on because their back cover, Fergus McFadden, had already replaced injured wing Dave Kearney.

Now Ulster's Payne has been revealed to have suffered a hamstring problem, leaving his chances of facing England in serious doubt.

Payne will not train at all with Ireland this week.

Ulster duo Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall are favourites to replace their teammate should Payne fail to recover in time for the Twickenham clash.

Leinster's uncapped centre Garry Ringrose is also in the mix to join the Ireland squad should further cover be required. 

"Jared Payne has got a grade one hamstring strain that he actually did in the first-half against France," said Schmidt.

"Jared said he would go as long as he could, and he was doing a good job for us defensively.

"He certainly won't train this week and we'll have to monitor him in the lead-up to the England game."

Ireland will certainly be without Sean O'Brien for the England clash, with the extent of his latest hamstring problem still being assessed.

Kearney is expected to miss out with his shoulder problem, while Cian Healy and Mike Ross will continue their injury returns by featuring for Leinster again this weekend.

"Cian Healy and Mike Ross got through a bit of time for Leinster last weekend and they will spend some time with us this week before going back to play for Leinster at the weekend," said Schmidt.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has revealed fly-half Johnny Sexton suffered a "whiplash injury" to his neck and shoulder in Ireland's 10-9 RBS 6 Nations defeat to France.

Sexton appeared dazed upon leaving the Stade de France field after several questionable hits on Saturday, but now Ireland boss Schmidt has moved to downplay any fears the 30-year-old suffered a concussion.

Sexton was forced out for 12 weeks in late 2014 owing to four concussions all suffered in a span of 12 months, and has had several further head-injury concerns since.

"Johnny Sexton, with his neck and shoulder, it's more of a whiplash injury," said Schmidt.

"And he is certainly feeling a lot better, 48 hours post-game."

On Monday, French second row Yoann Maestri was cited with a warning for using his shoulder in a tackle which saw the lock lift Sexton off his feet in the 13th minute of Saturday's match, although the citing commissionar stated the tackle fell 'just short of' warranting a red card.

Ireland next face England at Twickenham on Saturday, February 27, and will now allow the Leinster playmaker as much recovery time as possible.

Sexton was only eligible to participate in this year's Six Nations once he had passed the necessary Head Injury Assessments after a blow to the head in Leinster's 51-10 defeat to Wasps last month.

Although Ireland remain hopeful over Sexton's chances of facing England, centre Jared Payne's outlook appears less rosy.

Ireland had revealed Payne played through a dead leg in Paris, staying on because their back cover, Fergus McFadden, had already replaced injured wing Dave Kearney.

Now Ulster's Payne has been revealed to have suffered a hamstring problem, leaving his chances of facing England in serious doubt.

Payne will not train at all with Ireland this week.

Ulster duo Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall are favourites to replace their teammate should Payne fail to recover in time for the Twickenham clash.

Leinster's uncapped centre Garry Ringrose is also in the mix to join the Ireland squad should further cover be required. 

"Jared Payne has got a grade one hamstring strain that he actually did in the first-half against France," said Schmidt.

"Jared said he would go as long as he could, and he was doing a good job for us defensively.

"He certainly won't train this week and we'll have to monitor him in the lead-up to the England game."

Ireland will certainly be without Sean O'Brien for the England clash, with the extent of his latest hamstring problem still being assessed.

Kearney is expected to miss out with his shoulder problem, while Cian Healy and Mike Ross will continue their injury returns by featuring for Leinster again this weekend.

"Cian Healy and Mike Ross got through a bit of time for Leinster last weekend and they will spend some time with us this week before going back to play for Leinster at the weekend," said Schmidt.

TalkingRugbyUnion's official partners for the 2016 RBS Six Nations are http://www.fentonsportsonline.com/rugby/ and http://www.fisherinvestments.eu