Sexton breaks jaw in t14 match. May miss AIs

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/29016095

Burden is a bit of a psycho. Haven't seen video but can imagine how it happened having watched Burden attempt similar hits (mostly successfully, but only by milliseconds) against Saracens in the HC Final

Really sucks for Sexton and Ireland

Burdens hits on Brits...perfectly timed, but no margin for error, and I suspect Sexton was on the receiving end of that margin of error going the wrong way. Burden hits hard and high. Easy to imagine his arm riding up onto the jaw.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KY7ELmluajE

Six weeks isn't too bad. That'll mean he doesn't miss any Ireland camps or matches. Two months is touch and go but not the worst one.

It was considerably less legal than that clip quins. His teammates certainly didn't think it was accidental. Pretty clear yellow card.

I believe you. Haven't been able to find video. Burden leaves himself no margin for error. If he mistimes the big hits he will probably get yellow carded every time.

In spite of having played hooker myself, I do think that fly halves should be afforded special protection. Have seen too many deliberate shots on key FHs to think otherwise. Should Burden have got red?

Nah. I really think that red should only be used for intentional violent acts. Punching, kicking, biting, gouging etc.

Let the citing commissioner sort out the rest. It was hard, late and high. Punish the player without ruining the game. Like you say its a very fine margin and its too difficult a call to make in the heat of the moment.

Sexton was kicking the ball on the ground and Burden went high with his forearm. No need for that challenge and a deserved yellow. There is a video link during the article on the Irish Independent website.

I hope he's ok for the AIs.

Cheap shot

http://balls.ie/rugby/video-cheap-shot-left-johnny-sexton-broken-jaw/

Timing of Sexton injury beneficial to Ireland

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/sexton-injury-comes-at-perfect-time-for-ireland-30553481.html

Having seen the clip, thanks Notch, I don't understand why it wasn't a straight red. Sexton wasn't in possession of the ball, Burden made no attempt to put his arms around him, his swinging arm was head high. Straight red to me.

Yeah looking at it a few more times it could have and maybe even should have been red. He clearly goes for Sexton after the ball is already gone.

Have watched it several times now and on first viewing i thought it wasn't too bad. Looked like both guys going for the ball, Sexton a bit quicker gets a nudge as a reminder.
BUT, Burden sees very early that he will be second to the ball and then only has eyes for Sexton. blatant head high off the ball hit.

I know people are saying a red card ruins the game, but surely a deliberate attempt to end a flyhalfs involvement in the remainder of a game would ruin a game also.

100% agree.

Notch wrote:Timing of Sexton injury beneficial to Ireland

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/sexton-injury-comes-at-perfect-time-for-ireland-30553481.html

Not if you want to win your autumn series.

The Saint wrote:

Notch wrote:Timing of Sexton injury beneficial to Ireland

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/sexton-injury-comes-at-perfect-time-for-ireland-30553481.html

Not if you want to win your autumn series.

The point is he'll almost certainly be back for the autumn series unless there are additional complications. 'Sexton doubt for Ireland' is a great headline but every article under that headline has said he'll either be sidelined for six weeks or eight weeks. Worst case scenario is thats over-optimistic and he'll miss the first match, but if those estimates are correct eight weeks from his injury puts his return date around the 24th of October and our first game is the 8th November.

Last year we dropped Sexton for the first match due to the fact he was overplayed at Racing after having no break from the Lions tour. If the medics are right about his recovery time, this year he'll be fit two weeks out from the first match and fresh as a daisy.

Plus the fact that a broken jaw won't restrict him from training (except for contact obviously) so he could use this break like a mini preseason.

He may drop a bit of weight if he has to have the jaw wired shut for a while which wouldn't be ideal but other than that could be a blessing in disguise alright

Missed it but Sexton said on Of the Ball today he's expecting to be fit for the Autumn Internationals. And he'll be restricted to soup for three weeks, no solids