Six Nations tournament: concussed, Sexton will be absent against the Blues

Old people are not on the rise in Ireland.

To face the Blues this Sunday (4 p.m.) in Dublin, the XV of Clover will have to do without its opener and captain Jonathan Sexton (35 years old, 97 caps) and his scrum half Conor Murray (31 years old, 88 caps), its iconic hinge.

The former has not recovered from a new concussion suffered during the Irish defeat in Wales last Sunday (21-16) in his first match of the Six Nations Tournament.

The second suffers from hamstring muscles.

Jonathan Sexton had indeed remained on the ground on the lawn of Cardiff after a shock with the knee of the Welshman Justin Tipuric.

A new blow to the head, as in 2014 and 2015. After a series of repeated concussions, with Racing 92 and the XV of Clover, the opener had to observe a three-month break.

The following year too.

Hit against the Wasps, he finally held his rank and played a game where he had suffered one more concussion ...

So when, on Tuesday, the Irish staff announced that they were counting on their player, astonishment and criticism blossomed.

"I am rather saddened, and even shocked, by some recent articles, which are inaccurate and inappropriate," Sexton replied.

But whatever… I want to focus on this week and the return-to-play protocols. If I pass them, I can play.

Otherwise, I won't be able to.

" He could not.

A particularly decimated Irish team

Sexton and Murray will be replaced by Ulster opener Billy Burns and Leinster scrum half Jamison Gibson Park, respectively.

An advantage for the Blues?

“That does not change anything, replied Fabien Galthié the coach when delivering his team composition this Friday noon.

We have built a team in relation to us, to an environment, in search of collective performance.

Ireland are not going to change their way of playing based on the lack of one or two elements.

"

The XV of Clover, also deprived of its vice-captain and second line James Ryan (concussion) and of the third line wing Peter O'Mahony, suspended, nevertheless seems particularly decimated before welcoming the XV of France who no longer imposed in Dublin since February 13, 2011 (25-22).

THE TEAMS

XV of Ireland:

Keenan - Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe - (o) Burns, (m) Gibson Park - van der Flier, CJ Stander, Ruddock - Henderson (cap.), Beirne - Porter, Herring, Healy.

Alternates:

R. Kelleher, Byrne, Furlong, Dillane, Connors, Casey, Byrne, Larmour.

XV of France:

Dulin - Penaud, Vincent, Fickou, Villière - (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont - Ollivon (cap.), Alldritt, Jelonch - Willemse, Le Roux - Haouas, Marchand, Baille.

Alternates:

Bourgarit, Kolingar, Atonio, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Bouthier, Thomas.