Johnny Sexton: No word yet from Ireland captain's disciplinary hearing

The injured Johnny Sexton entered the pitch after Leinster's European Champions Cup defeat by La Rochelle in Dublin

Irish rugby fans have been made to wait to hear about Ireland captain Johnny Sexton's fate following an independent disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

Sexton appeared before a panel over "misconduct complaints" following his behaviour towards match officials in the wake of Leinster's Champions Cup final defeat by La Rochelle.

He missed the final through injury but entered the pitch after the match.

Sexton, 38, intends to retire after the World Cup in France.

A ban could rob the fly-half of an Aviva Stadium farewell before the World Cup with Ireland set to face Italy and England in warm-up matches in Dublin on 5 and 19 August.

The Irish also face Samoa in Bayonne on 26 August before beginning their World Cup campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on 9 September.

Champions Cup organiser European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) submitted misconduct complaints against Sexton and Leinster following what it described as a "thorough fact-finding and careful review" of Sexton's actions, and also Leinster for not exercising reasonable control over their player.

Leinster lost 27-26 in the Dublin final and Sexton, who sat out the game with a groin injury, became involved in an exchange with South African referee Jaco Peyper and other match officials following the game.

Thursday's disciplinary hearing was chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC with Adam Casselden SC and Marcello D'Orey also on the panel.