Sexton backs Furlong after groin grab allegation

Ireland's assistant coach Jonathan Sexton backs prop Tadhg Furlong after the Leinster prop was cited for an alleged groin grab. Tadhg Furlong was in Ireland training on Tuesday after he was cited for an alleged groin grab Ireland's assistant coach Jonathan Sexton has backed prop Tadhg Furlong after the Leinster prop was cited for an alleged groin grab. The incident happened late in the first half of Leinster's United Rugby Championship win on Saturday when Munster back row Gavin Coombes alleged to referee Andrew Brace he had been grabbed in the groin by an unnamed Leinster player. Television match official [TMO] Colin Stanley could not find any evidence at the time, but Furlong, 33, was cited on Monday over the incident and could miss Ireland's Nations Championship fixtures if found guilty.

Furlong trained with Ireland on Tuesday and, speaking after that session, Sexton said he backed his former provincial and international team-mate. "In terms of the incident, I can't say too much about it obviously, because the disciplinary process is ongoing," said Sexton, who won 118 Ireland caps as a player. "But I know Tadhg as a person, first and foremost, and I don't think that's something he would have done. "So I just have to back him in that regard, but we'll see what happens with the disciplinary hearing."