I EXPECT A FIVE STAR FINALE

Sexton puts injury disappointment aside to help Blues team mátes secure a fifth European title

- MICHAEL SCULLY

JOHNNY SEXTON is gutted to miss Leinster's potential double winning run-in but is backing his team mates to get that fifth star on the shirt before he retires.

Sexton's immediate thought after injuring his groin late on in the final 2023 Six Nations clash with England (inset) was of what it meant for his Leinster prospects rather than the glorious Grand Slam celebrations that were just minutes away.

He did enjoy the festivities that followed, just as he is looking forward to his fourth and final Rugby World Cup in September and October.

After undergoing a procedure at the end of June he plans to be back on the training field for the start of Ireland's preparations on June 19.

He will turn 38 less than a month later and, knowing that time waits for no man - the still world-class No10 knows he is sitting out the last few weeks of his storied provincial career with Leinster now four games away from the Champions Cup and URC double.

"Oh, it's gutting isn't it," he admitted.