SEXTON WOE POINTS BYRNE TOWARDS JAPAN
ROSS BYRNE is ready to step into the void left by Johnny Sexton against Toulouse tomorrow in a game that could have a big say in his bid to make the World Cup squad later this year. Having been flagged as a doubt all week, Leinster are expected to confirm at lunchtime that they will be without their captain for the Pool 1 showdown at the RDS, with Byrne set to slot straight in at 10. Sexton’s calf problem is not expected to affect his involvement in next weekend’s final pool game away to Wasps, or in the Six Nations, but it presents Byrne with the ideal opportunity to press his claims for further Ireland recognition. Munster’s Joey Carbery (right), in action against Gloucester in Kingsholm this evening, has been the designated back-up to Sexton at national level but Byrne impressed when winning his first two caps last November. He was also consistently picked ahead of Carbery at out-half by Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster last season, prompting Carbery’s decision to move south. Byrne has started big European Cup games for Leinster before, doing well twice against Montpellier as Leinster strode to the title last season. However, considering the circumstances this time around with World Player of the Year Sexton absent, a dominant display against a quality Toulouse side tomorrow would be a powerful statement. Should the evidence mount that Byrne is better at managing a game than Carbery, it would suggest that he is therefore a better option for Ireland should Sexton be ruled out of games in the future. Elsewhere, Devin Toner is rated doubtful to start in the second row but Leinster have quality options in James Ryan and Australian international Scott Fardy, with Rhys Ruddock likely to captain the side from the blindside flank. Toulouse are on a run of 12 wins, starting with their home victory against Leinster in October, and assistant coach William Servat says it is vital they bring that confidence with them to Dublin. ‘We know Leinster are monsters in Europe,’ said Servat. ‘It is a team that is almost at international level of quality and to take on a team of his quality in their home is a dream challenge for us. ‘To win in Dublin would be a massive achievement but that will take a huge performance, it is up to us to respond to them,’ Servat added.