Thursday, April 29, 2010

Sexton out of Leinster semi-final

HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL
Venue: Le Stadium, Toulouse Date: Saturday, 1 May Kick-off: 1545 BST
Coverage: Live scores on BBC Sport website


Jonathan Sexton
Jonathan Sexton is sidelined for the last four clash in France

Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton will miss Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse after failing to recover from a fractured jaw.

Sexton sustained the the injury in Leinster's quarter-final win over Clermont Auvergne last month.

The Ireland player's place will be taken by Shaun Berne in Toulouse.

Rob Kearney is a doubt with an ankle injury and CJ van der Linde is also a concern, but Brian O'Driscoll is set to start after shaking off knocks.

To compound Leinster's injury worries, Girvan Dempsey, who would be in line to replace Kearney if the Lions star is ruled out, is also said to be a major doubt because of a neck injury.

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Dempsey sustained the injury in last week's Magners League defeat by Connacht.

Fergus McFadden is also a fitness worry after picking up a knock in the game against the Ospreys.

Fly-half Sexton needed to have a plate inserted in his jaw after the narrow quarter-final win and has been receiving oxygen treatment in an attempt to speed up the healing process.

"Jonny was desperate to play and we gave him every opportunity," said Leinster coach Michael Cheika.

"But we felt it was too big a risk and we also have the player's welfare and safety in mind.

"We have 100% confidence that Shaun Berne can do the job."

It wouldn't surprise me if they decided to bring back Maxime Medard

Leinster coach Michael Cheika

Kearney also sustained his injury in the quarter-final while Van der Linde is continuing to be troubled by a toe injury which has affected him all season.

Shane Horgan should be available after being a fitness concern last week.

Leinster face a huge task on Toulouse's home ground but the Irish province did defeat the French giants at the venue in the 2006 quarter-finals.

The Leinster coach acknowledges that Toulouse have an array of options - especially in the half-back positions.

"In particular who they pick at out-half - and whether they decide to go with (Jean-Baptiste) Elissalde or (David) Skrela, their back-row combination and also their back three combination.

"It wouldn't surprise me if they decided to bring back Maxime Medard, even though he hasn't played for quite a while."


Leinster squad: Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright, Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton

Toulouse: (TBA)

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