Jonathan Sexton was injured in the game against Leicester

Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton is expected be out of action for at least a month after suffering a fractured thumb against Leicester on Saturday.

That means he will not be available for Ireland's opening game of the Six Nations at home to Italy on 2 February and the trip to France a week later.

The uncapped Sexton's inspirational form this season won him a call-up to Eddie O'Sullivan's 33-man panel.

Sexton was vying with Ulster's Paddy Wallace as understaudy to Ronan O'Gara.