LEINSTER CAPTAIN JOHNNY Sexton is expected to increase his training workload this week as he continues progress towards fitness for Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.

The out-half suffered a knee injury in the away win over Northampton in December and following visits to a specialist he is reportedly on track to be involved in Ireland’s clash with Scotland. However, senior coach Stuart Lancaster feels it’s unlikely that the 10 will feature in either of the coming two Champions Cup pool matches.

“That’s unlikely but that’s not to say that he is a long way away from playing either,” said Lancaster.

“We have got a Sunday game and a game again next Saturday so he would have to be on the training field playing full contact and training on Monday, Tuesday next week and that’s not going to happen.”

He’s making great progress but it’s not an injury that you suddenly go from being not injured to fit again in two or three weeks.

“It takes time to strengthen the ligament, to start running again and everything that goes into being back fit again and playing a robust game like rugby. So it’s going to take some time,” added the senior coach.

James Ryan, who was hampered by a calf injury during the first-half of the comfortable win over the western province, has not been ruled out of this weekend’s Champions Cup meeting with Lyon at the RDS.

‘He will be monitored through the week before a final decision is made,’ said the Leinster injury update this afternoon.