Contrary to Joe Schmidt's comments on RTE on Saturday night, Leinster have confirmed that Johnny Sexton failed his Head Injury Assessment (HIA) during Saturday's Champions Cup win against Exeter Chiefs.
Sexton lasted just two minutes before making way having shipped a heavy blow to the head, and did not return. Ross Byrne replaced Sexton and finished the game at out-half, although he did miss a chunk of the first-half for a HIA of his own.
Joe Schmidt appeared at the RTE Sports Awards on Saturday night, and was asked about Sexton's injury by one half of the presenting team, Joanne Cantwell.
Schmidt corrected Cantwell's assertion that Sexton had failed his HIA.
He passed his HIA. So he's okay. I spoke to him this evening, he's fine.
In contradiction to Schmidt's assertion, however, Leinster have told RTE Sport that Sexton did, in fact, fail the HIA in the early minutes of the Exeter victory.
The fact that he did casts doubt on his involvement in Leinster's trip to Thomond Park on Stephen's Day. Another Leinster player who may miss that derby is Cian Healy, as he was today cited for the reckless use of a forearm when entering a ruck. He will learn his fate tomorrow.
