Sexton to miss Six Nations opener

Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton could miss the opening match of the Six Nations after being ordered to rest following a number of blows to the head in a recent international.

Racing-Metro star Sexton must rest until the middle of February, which would rule him out of the Six Nations match with Italy, the final phase of group games in the European Champions Cup as well as a number of Top 14 games.

The medical commission of the French national league (LNR) acted after Sexton suffered two concussions in Ireland's 26-23 win over Australia on November 23.

"He will not play a match until he's 100 percent," Racing Metro coach Laurent Labit told a news conference, as Sexton was again left out of the squad for Saturday's Top 14 game against La Rochelle.

French sports daily L'Equipe reported on Thursday that the league's medical committee had banned Sexton from playing until February 14, which means he would miss Ireland's opening Six Nations game against Italy a week earlier.

Source: AFP