Johnny Sexton was forced off the field of play in Leinster's European Champions Cup game against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena after suffering yet another head injury.
The Irish outhalf, who was captaining Leinster for the first time on his 100th start for the province, failed to return to the field after being taken off for a head injury assessment.
Sexton clashed his head with former Leinster player Brendan Macken after only eight minutes and was replaced by European Cup debutante Cathal Marsh.
Unfortunately Johnny Sexton won't return to the pitch today after a head clash earlier. We hope all is OK pic.twitter.com/LJfYcwJPKV
— Leinster Supporters (@OLSCRugby) January 23, 2016
That's bad news re. Johnny Sexton and head injury so close to the Six Nations. Fingers crossed nothing severe. #Leinster
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) January 23, 2016
Jonathan Sexton not returning to field after head clash. Presumably failed his HIA. That has to be a worry for Ireland ahead of Wales game.
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) January 23, 2016
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="cy" dir="ltr">Sexton <a href="https://t.co/Jtm98O15NJ">pic.twitter.com/Jtm98O15NJ</a></p>— Kevin Mc Gillicuddy (@KMcGillicuddy86) <a href="https://twitter.com/KMcGillicuddy86/status/690929049028423682">January 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
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UPDATE:
It has since been confirmed that Sexton failed a HIA and will now enter the return to play protocols after the Leinster Rugby account tweeted the news.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">INJURY UPDATE: Johnny failed HIA, enters return to play protocols & Marty hamstring issue. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WASvLEIN?src=hash">#WASvLEIN</a></p>— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) <a href="https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/690952730525982721">January 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The injury now makes Sexton a major doubt for Ireland's 6 Nations opener against Wales on the 7th of February.
