Gatland: Sexton needs games

Johnny Sexton must prove he is capable of lasting the pace if he is to be considered for the British and Irish Lions squad, Warren Gatland has warned.

Gatland was with the Irish squad at Carton House when it was announced that Sexton would miss the RBS Six Nations opener against Scotland because of a calf injury.

Sexton has struggled with hamstring problems in recent seasons and was forced to sit out Ireland’s final Guinness Series Test win over Australia after picking up a fresh injury in the previous week's clash with New Zealand. He did not return until January before picking up the calf injury in Leinster’s Champions Cup draw with Castres.

Gatland has previously admitted that Sexton's durability is a concern ahead of the Lions tour of New Zealand, and he has warned the out-half needs a run of games to have any chance of being included in his squad.

"Someone of Johnny's experience and calibre, you hope he is going to get back fit and get a number of games under his belt, potentially in the Six Nations and towards the end of the season," Gatland is quoted as saying in the Irish Independent.

"He is a really quality player but there is going to be some attrition in New Zealand and you are going to need players who are going to be able to handle what is going to be an incredibly tough and physical tour with the ten matches.

"The next few months are important for him. Johnny has been unfortunate in the last couple of seasons in that he has picked up a few injuries, a couple of knocks to the head as well, so I'm hoping that he gets back to fitness as quickly as possible and starts to play in that Irish team and performs well."

More games than ever before! eir Sport will show 23 live games from the Allianz Leagues, including five triple headers. The eir Sport pack is free to eir residential broadband customers.