LEINSTER RATE AS ‘unlikely’ the chances of Jonathan Sexton returning to full fitness in time for Friday’s Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Wasps.
The out-half has been out of action since pulling his hamstring in the Six Nations defeat to England, and since then he tore a tendon in his foot after being named in the starting line-up to face Italy.
Though Leinster say that Sexton “has an outside chance of making Thursday’s midday team announcement”, the most like scenario will see Ian Madigan, who has scored all of Leinster’s points in their last two games, takes the reins again.
Brendan Macken, an injury withdrawal during the 18-22 loss to Ulster, will face six weeks sidelines after scans confirmed the young centre suffered a broken hand.
Gordon D’Arcy, who was due to partner Macken in midfield before illness took hold on Saturday, returned to normal training and in all likelihood will start in Adams Park - possibly alongside the returning Fergus McFadden or Eoin O’Malley.
Ahead of them Sean O’Brien will also return to the fold having been held in reserve by the player welfare programme after a punishing Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Connacht continued to look beyond the immediate fixtures by today signing up Lansdowne’s Ulster Bank League winning number 10, Craig Ronaldson on a one-year contract.
The 23-year-old out of Kilkenny Colleges has hauled in 206 points in 16 games so far this season and was also responsible for 15 points in the Ireland Club XV’s 30-20 win over England Counties in February.
“There are a lot of changes at Connacht with a new Head Coach in Pat Lam coming in and I’m excited about the move to Galway and linking up with everyone there.” Ronaldson said.
And in the same statement, Connacht CEO Tom Sears added: “Craig is a talented young player who has earned his opportunity in the professional game.
”He has consistently demonstrated in the AIL that he has all the ability to make the step up and we have no doubt he will thrive in a professional environment. He is a player we have watched closely for some time and he now has an opportunity to develop his undoubted talent and fulfil his potential.”
