Those Irish rugby fans craving a changing of the guard will be given their chance to see a new outhalf in action for at least the first two matches of the Six Nations. Results of the scan to Johnny Sexton's knee have come in, and according to reports, he'll be sidelined for at least 8-10 weeks.
Sexton injured his knee in the second half of Saturday's match against Northampton. The Indo report that Sexton's has a 'significant medial tear'.
This will mean Sexton will miss Ireland's Six Nations curtainraiser against Scotland in Dublin on February 1 and the visit of Wales the following Saturday. He'll also miss Leinster's interprovincials plus three European Cup matches.
It's unclear who'll play #10 in Andy Farrell's first Ireland game. Joey Carbery hasn't played since the World Cup. Jack Carty's form has been spotty since Japan and Connacht coach regularly prefers Ciaran Fitzgerald at #10. Ross Byrne has been in very good form and will be get a few big games for Leinster in the outhalf position over the coming six weeks. JJ Hanrahan has also emerged as a dark horse.
The injury also effectively rules Sexton out of Farrell's reckoning for the Irish captaincy, at least in the short term.
