Schmidt keeping a close eye on Sexton ahead of Six Nations

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt hopes Johnny Sexton comes through Racing Metro’s Top 14 tussle with Toulouse unscathed, after confirming Keith Earls is a serious RBS 6 Nations doubt.

Schmidt fears Earls could be out for as long as two months, thanks to knee ligament damage suffered in Munster’s Heineken Cup clash with Edinburgh on Sunday.