Leinster say Johnny Sexton did not fail Head Injury Assessment

Johnny Sexton did not fail the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) he underwent on Saturday at the Rioch Arena, Leinster clarified this afternoon.

Sexton went into Ireland camp on Monday despite the Leinster medical team pulling him from Saturday's record 51-10 defeat to Wasps after he sustained a head injury following a clash of heads with former teammate Brendan Macken.

Despite Leo Cullen confirming post match that Sexton failed the HIA, the 30 year old does not, in fact, need to undergo return to play protocols in Carton House this week.

Cullen stated today that Sexton could have returned to the field but Dr Jim McShane and physio Garreth Farrell erred on the side of caution.

Cullen said: “Johnny, there has been a lot of talk about that since the weekend, he got a bang on the head when he clashed heads with Brendan Macken.

“He went off and did his HIA, passed the questionnaire, but the medics weren’t fully happy. That’s why he didn’t return to the field.”

He is now under the care of the Ireland medical team.

Cullen also confirmed that Marty Moore has suffered a grade two hamstring tear and will be out for "six to eight weeks" so is unlikely to feature in the Six Nations.

“We had 17 players selected for the Irish camp,” Cullen continued. “16 have gone in today. Marty Moore got scanned yesterday post game and he has done a grade two hamstring so he will be six to eight weeks.

"Other injuries that we have: Isa Nacewa last week had a small procedure done to his knee so he'll be out for two to three weeks.

“Royce Burke-Flynn, who has been with us this season, had neck surgery last week so he will be out for four months.

"Of some of those other players; Mike Ross, Cian Healy, Collie O'Shea they are rehabbing away after a couple of niggles and are probably a couple of weeks away yet. Tom Denton was due to be involved in the game at the weekend, he broke down in training on Thursday. Again, realistically, he'll be a couple of weeks.

"Those longer term guys coming back - Hayden Triggs is very close, Mick Kearney, again, probably three to four weeks away as is Jack Conan. Ed Byrne, Gav Thornbury are probably a little bit longer.

"So, with that list and those guys away, plus there are four or five Academy guys in the frame for selection [for the Ireland under-20s - James Ryan was named captain following an impressive showing for Leinster A against Rotherham at Donnybrook] so you are talking 30 to 35 players unavailable for training today and more than likely selection this weekend.

“It’s a big challenge for us this Friday against The Dragons. It’s fair to say they are not going to be missing anywhere near that number of players.

“So it is all hands on deck.”

There were "15 to 20 players" available for training this afternoon ahead Friday's match against the Dragons at Rodney Parade.