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Sexton was removed from play after converting Robbie Henshaw's try. Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Medical Report

Joe Schmidt has given a health update on Johnny Sexton and Sean O'Brien

Two of Ireland’s most important players went off injured during the big win over England.

WHILE ALL THE celebrations were going on after Ireland’s immensely satisfying 19-9 win over England, many Irish fans were probably still pacing between pints worrying about Johnny Sexton and Sean O’Brien’s injuries.

The absence of the former would potentially be more serious than the latter, given that Ireland showed in November they can adequately replace the Tullow Tank whereas in the final quarter today the game plan didn’t seem to fit as well in the absence of the Racing Métro out-half.

Afterwards, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said Sexton was withdrawn to ensure no further damage was done after he injured his hamstring, but declined to comment on whether Sexton is now in any doubt for the clash with Wales on 14 March.

“Johnny just felt a twinge in his hamstring when he was kicking that conversion from the corner,” Schmidt said after the game.

“Again, we haven’t had that assessed yet so I can’t really comment as to the severity or non-severity of that.”

Earlier in the game, Sean O’Brien had to be replaced after running into George Ford and suffering an apparent concussion. It was a big carry by the flanker, who was very unsteady on his feet thereafter.

Similarly, outside centre Jared Payne departed the game for concussion testing, although Schmidt explained that the Ulsterman passed those assessments.

“With Sean, we’re not too sure how it happened,” said Schmidt. “We had a look at the tape and maybe it was a head-to-head clash, but he’s going to through the HIA [Head Injury Assessment] protocols and he’ll work his way through those in the next six days.

“He’s certainly asymptomatic at the moment, he’s fine, just a little bit grumpy and disappointed he didn’t see out the match.

“Jared Payne is absolutely fine. He actually passed everything on the side of the pitch.

“We just felt that is was pertinent to leave him at that stage and we feel pretty comfortable with Tommy going into centre, and Felix has been great for us so he went onto the wing.”

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