Shaun Berne is already being lined up as a likely replacement if, as expected, Sexton - who took over from Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's first-choice fly-half during the 2010 RBS 6 Nations - fails to come through a contact session this week.

After fracturing his jaw against Clermont at the quarter-final stage – Leinster boss Michael Cheika admitted he’s already planning for life without Sexton at the weekend.

"Having had a fracture so recently, there's a chance if he takes another knock on it, he fractures it again,” said Cheika.

“There's a good chance of that. We'll keep our eye on everything. Put it this way, we're not desperate."

"If he's going to be out there, he's got to do his thing. He'd like it that way.

“That's the test this week. The test is if he can do everything he's supposed to do without worrying; he'll play -- but (one must) understand that there could be ramifications if he takes another blow on it.”