Sexton to miss SA tour

According to the Irish Independent, Sexton is understood to have undergone surgery on the shoulder injury he suffered in Saturday's Pro12 final defeat to Connacht and is set to be out of action for around 12 weeks.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is expected to confirm the news at a press conference today [Thursday], with Ian Madigan the favourite to be called up to replace his provincial colleague in the squad.

It is the second major injury blow to hit Ireland this week after Luke Fitzgerald was ruled out with a knee injury on Monday.

Schmidt revealed that he will update his squad on Thursday, with Connacht's Matt Healy also in the frame to travel as a replacement for the Leinster wing.

Ireland are already without Sean O'Brien, Cian Healy and Tommy Bowe for the three-Test series, which gets underway on June 11 at Newlands in Cape Town. 

Source: Irish Independent