Medics sideline Sexton until February

Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton will miss the start of the Six Nations next February after being sidelined for three months on medical grounds following a number of concussions this year.

The Dubliner is not permitted to return to the playing field until February 14, the date of Ireland’s second Championship game against France at the Aviva Stadium.

Sexton has been put on injured reserve by his club Racing Metro for “an indefinite period” following discussions between the club’s medical staff and a neurologist acting on behalf of the Top 14 and World Rugby. He has suffered three concussions in this calendar year and under the terms of new head injury assessment (HIA) protocols, he was already under the microscope.