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Johnny Sexton is likely to miss the tour to South Africa because of a shoulder injury
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It is the latest in a series of blows to coach Joe Schmidt for the three June Tests
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Sexton was injured during Saturday’s Pro12 final defeat by Connacht
A shoulder injury is set to rule Johnny Sexton out of Ireland’s upcoming three-Test tour to South Africa according to a report in today’s Irish Independent.
The Leinster out-half picked up the injury in the Guinness Pro12 final defeat to Connacht at Murrayfield, though did complete the full 80 minutes despite receiving medical treatment on the pitch. It is believed 30-year-old Sexton had an operation on his shoulder on Wednesday.
His Leinster team-mate, winger Luke Fitzgerald, was injured in the same match and was ruled out of the tour earlier this week.
The Leinster duo join a lengthy list of absentees for the tour which includes wingers Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe, and forwards Cian Healy, Denis Buckley, Nathan White, Sean O’Brien, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Andrew Conway.
Ireland, who have never won in South Africa, face the Springboks in the first Test in Cape Town on 11 June, with the sides meeting again over the following two weekends in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
Ian Madigan, who is joining Bordeaux from Leinster, could be called into the squad as a replacement after being originally left out.