Leinster have revealed that Johnny Sexton will have a groin operation after he sees a specialist tomorrow.
The announcement means that if the veteran skipper hangs up his boots after the Rugby World Cup in France, he may have already played his last game for his province.
Sexton, 37, suffered the injury as he defended Ireland's try line in their Grand Slam clinching victory over England at the Aviva Stadium nine days ago.
READ MORE: Johnny Sexton's season hangs in the balance as he is to see a specialist
Afterwards, the out-half admitted that the injury didn't look good and, after a scan, Leinster confirmed that he would have to see a specialist.
And it could well spend the end of the line at the province as a player for Sexton, who made his senior debut for the Blues in 2006.
Blues boss Leo Cullen will have to do without his talisman for the Champions Cup last 16 clash against Ulster on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, and beyond that in the competition if last year's losing finalists prevail.
The same scenario presents itself in the URC, where Leinster guaranteed themselves first seed status for the play-offs by drawing with the Stormers at the RDS last Friday night.
Speaking ahead of that game, Cullen spoke confidently of Sexton making it back in time for France 2023, with the finals taking place in September and October.
Ross Byrne is expected to start on Saturday and will have the responsibility of guiding the province on the field at the business end of the season, with his brother Harry and Ciarán Frawley providing back up.
Over 48,000 tickets have already been sold for the Ulster game.
Leinster will hope to have Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Caelan Doris available, though all three are continuing to follow the graduated return to play protocols this week after picking up head injuries over the final two rounds of the Six Nations.
Ed Byrne came through the game at the weekend with no issues after his return from a knee injury, however Jamie Osborne, Charlie Ngatai and Rónan Kelleher all remain sidelined.
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