Peter O'Mahony is gone, Paul O'Connell is gone but finally we have some good news on the injury front. Joe Schmidt did not sound overly confident when he gave the initial update on the groin injury that Johnny Sexton suffered against France.
However, after undergoing a scan on Monday, it seems we may have the news that we all needed to hear.
The Irish Independent are reporting that the scan has shown up clear and, somewhat incredibly, the Irish playmaker in chief is now in line to make a return to the squad for the World Cup quarter final against Argentina on Sunday.
Ian Madigan may have been an able deputy against France, but if Sexton is able to get back to an acceptable fitness level before next weekend then it would be a massive lift to Ireland's chances of getting to the World Cup semi-final for the first time in our history.
It's difficult to fully pick ourselves up after the Paul O'Connell news, but positive news on Sexton's groin is certainly a decent way to start.
