Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell believes suspended skipper Johnny Sexton will find missing their Rugby World Cup warm-up matches “a worry”.
A lack of game time is a concern for the veteran fly-half after his suspension ruled him out of their three fixtures, against Italy, England and Samoa.
Sexton, who is set to hang up his boots after the 2023 World Cup in France, has not played a competitive match since March due to a groin injury.
Coaches not worried
Forwards coach O’Connell insists the 38-year-old’s extended absence isn’t a major concern for Ireland’s management team, but might be for Sexton.
“Whenever he has come back from injuries (previously), he rarely needs a lot of games to get back up and running,” said former Ireland lock O’Connell.
“It’s a real strength of his. He’s trained since the start of pre-season pretty much; he hasn’t missed a training session.
“He seems to watch an awful lot of rugby; he thinks a lot about rugby, so I think that kind of helps him hit the ground running when he comes back.
“(But) I’d say it’s a worry for him, you know. He wants to finish playing really, really well, and I’d say he’d love to have a few more games under his belt.
“It is what it is. It’s not something I’m worried about.”
As mentioned, Ireland tackle the Azzurri, England and Samoa during August as they build towards a World Cup opener against Romania in Bordeaux.
Chance for other 10s
Sexton’s absence means the door is left open for the likes of Ross Byrne, Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley to impress in the flyhalf slot over this month.
“They are all playing for places – Johnny’s selection allows those guys to own it a little bit,” said O’Connell as he looks at the positive in the situation.
“It puts us in a good position heading into the World Cup because those guys get to accumulate more experience, not just of playing on the big day, but of owning it and running the week, driving some of the detail as well.
“Johnny’s suspension is unfortunate for us. But there’s a real good silver lining for us as well.”
READ MORE: Ireland release fitness update ahead of Rugby World Cup warm-up opener
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