Jonathan Sexton has been ruled out of Leinster’s crunch Heineken Cup semi-final in Toulouse tomorrow, having lost the race to recover from the after-effects of the fractured jaw he sustained in the quarter-final against Clermont-Auvergne.
Despite the blow manager Michael Cheika is in positive mood and is confident replacement, Shaun Berne, will step up to the mark. Isa Nacewa is likely to be goal-kicker ad back up outhalf.
Cheika said: “He (Sexton) is desperate to play and we gave him every opportunity but we felt it was too big a risk and we also have the player’s welfare and safety in mind. But we also have 100% confidence that Shaun Berne can do the job.â€
Should Leinster reach the final, it is hoped Sexton would finally return to the side. Cheika will name his starting team later today.
There was some good news for Leinster as Girvan Dempsey has recovered in time from the neck injury he suffered in the Magners League defeat to Connacht.
