Sexton ruled out for Ireland

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton has been ruled out of Saturday's fixture with Italy in Rome due to a torn ligament in his foot.

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton has been ruled out of Saturday's fixture with Italy in Rome due to a torn ligament in his foot.

Sexton, who had recovered from the hamstring injury that had kept him out and was named in the starting XV earlier on Thursday, went over on his foot in training.

A scan has confirmed that he has torn a tendon in his left foot and is therefore ruled out this weekend.

There is no word so far as to how long Sexton will be ruled out.