Sexton concussion saga escalates
Flyhalf Jonathan Sexton has not been rushed back into the starting line-up for Six Nations champions Ireland's game against France on Saturday, Irish team scrum coach Greg Feek said Friday.
Sexton - who was inspirational as Ireland won the Six Nations title last year and recorded memorable wins over South Africa and Australia in November - will play his first competitive game since being stood down for 12 weeks after suffering several concussions last year.
Coach Joe Schmidt insisted there was no problem in starting the 29-year-old in a game that he says is a must win if Ireland are to retain their title.
Feek, while not wishing to comment on remarks made by former France international Laurent Benezech - who told the Irish Times selecting Sexton was a mistake as he would be targeted by massive centre Mathieu Bastareaud, said there was no way they would risk their star flyhalf unnecessarily.
"We've got brilliant medical and conditioning staff," said the 39-year-old Feek, a former All Black prop.
"What is the right game to start a player who is coming back?
"Obviously we have also had to measure whether he has not been rushing it."
The Irish Rugby Football Union later took the rare step of issuing a statement regarding Sexton's ability to play.
They declared Sexton had been passed fit to play by four different parties on February 5 - including his club Racing Metro's medical team and independent neurologists in France and Ireland.
They made their displeasure clear at "some disappointing and inaccurate commentary in the media by individuals with no medical expertise" and added Sexton had been "symptom free for two months".
Ireland captain Paul O'Connell, who will win his 98th cap for his country, said it was terrific to have a player of Sexton's experience back in the line-up and added it would be no surprise if he were to be targeted.
"His injury has helped him have a mini pre-season really and freshen his mind and also look after his hamstring," said O'Connell, who experienced his first away win over the French in great style last year as the 22-20 victory also secured them the Six Nations championship.
"To have a player of his experience back is super. He is a great player and he knows what Joe wants.
"I played for years in teams with Ronan O'Gara (Sexton's predecessor as fly-half) and the focus from our opponents was on attacking the fly-half because he is the playmaker.
"It is nothing new."
O'Connell, who is bidding to lead Ireland to their ninth successive test win, said contrary to the poor reviews for France's 15-8 victory over Scotland last Saturday he thought the present French side could be as good as any he had faced.
"Potentially they are as good as any French side as we have played," said the iconic Munster lock, who admitted the Irish had to improve on their opening 26-3 win over Italy.
"In terms of natural talent, skill and pace they have it all. Joe [Schmidt] is especially keen on [wing] Yoann Huget. But to be honest they have great players all over the pitch.
"It will be a massive task for us, it always is."
Agence France-Presse