Sexton's Six Nations worry as Leinster confirm out-half will miss Northampton game

Johnny Sexton has emerged as a doubt for Ireland's Six Nations campaign after Leinster confirmed the out-half will not be available for this weekend's Heineken Champions Cup game against Northampton Saints due to a knee injury.

Sexton was forced off in Leinster's 43-16 win at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday after falling awkwardly while being tackled.

The province have confirmed that the 34-year-old will see a specialist today for a further scan on his knee.

The news will come as a concern for new Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, with the Six Nations just eight weeks away.

Farrell will take his first training camp as Ireland boss later this month, and Sexton's fitness will be a chief concern, with Farrell also without the on-field experience of the recently retired Rory Best.

Joe Schmidt's successor is in danger of being left light on out-half options, with Joey Carbery yet to feature for Munster this season having returned from the World Cup with an ankle problem.

Meanwhile, Leinster also confirmed that Joe Tomane will be out of action for six to eight weeks following a re-occurrence of a hamstring injury, and Rory O'Loughlin will also miss out at the Aviva Stadium this weekend as he rehabs a shoulder problem.

James Ryan is going through the Graduated Return to Play protocols after being removed during Saturday's defeat of Northampton with a head injury.

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