Sexton remains out until after Lions decision

Form and fitness may be accepted prerequisites when choosing any squad but Warren Gatland will have little of either to go on in the case of Jonathan Sexton when he announces his British and Irish Lions touring party next month.

The Ireland out-half has dispensed with the protective boot and stepped up his rehab from the injury which ruled him out of the last Six Nations tie against Italy, but the timing of any return to the pitch remains shrouded in conjecture.

Gatland has indicated that he will name his touring party after the European quarter-finals which, in terms of Irish interest, begins on Friday week with Leinster’s Amlin Challenge Cup tie against London Wasps at Adams Park.