Sexton cleared of concussion as Ireland target accuracy in Dunedin second Test

Johnny Sexton looks set to play in Ireland's second Test against New Zealand this Saturday, having returned to full training with the squad in Albany.

The Ireland captain completed his third head injury assessment, having been removed from the field of play 30 minutes into Ireland's 42-19 defeat to the All Blacks in last week's first Test.

Sexton failed a HIA during the game, but has passed subsequent tests, and now appears to be available to line out in Saturday's must-win game in Dunedin.

With World Ruby recently introducing a longer 12-day stand-down period for players with concussion, it had been expected that Sexton would be unavailable until the final Test in Wellington on 16 July.

However, an IRFU source has confirmed to RTÉ Sport that while Sexton did fail his HIA1, it could neither clear him of a concussive incident nor confirm it, and having passed HIA2 and HIA3 he has now been cleared to play.

Under World Rugby's Operational Definition, a player has a confirmed concussion if:

Under this operational definition a concussion can be diagnosed immediately following a head injury but cannot be excluded until completion of both the HIA2 and HIA3, that is 36-48 hours after the injury.

The protocol continues to explain how a player such as Sexton could fail his HIA1, without having a confirmed concussion.

"The presence of a Criteria 1 sign or symptom confirms a diagnosis of a concussion and the player must be immediately and permanently removed from further game participation and complete a GRTP [Graduated Return to Play].

"An abnormal off-field HIA1 assessment supports a suspected concussion and the player is removed from further game participation.

"The follow up HIA2 may confirm an early diagnosis of concussion if abnormal