Johnny Sexton's anxious Rugby World Cup wait goes on as marathon six-hour misconduct hearing concludes

Johnny Sexton's wait to learn his Rugby World Cup fate is set to continue.

Sexton today faced a disciplinary hearing which could see him banned and may even end his career prematurely.

The fly-half had a misconduct complaint lodged against him following his behaviour towards match officials in the wake of his club Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle on May 20.

But despite deliberations starting at 9am, word emerged this evening that there would be no decision tonight and that Sexton and Leinster will be informed of any sanction "in the coming days".

While Sexton did not play in the game at Dublin's Aviva Stadium due to his continued recovery from a groin injury, he went onto the pitch after the defeat and approached South African referee Jaco Peyper and other match officials before allegedly branding them a "f***ing disgrace".

Tournament organiser European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) submitted misconduct complaints against 37-year-old 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.

Sexton, who intends to retire after the World Cup in France later this year, will now appear by video conference call this morning (July 13) before an independent disciplinary panel chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC.

Ireland's opening World Cup warm-up match is against Italy on August 5, followed by matches against England and Samoa. Their first World Cup game sees them tackle Romania in Bordeaux on September 9, so a suspension for Sexton has potential to affect his availability. There have been suggestions Sexton could face a lengthy ban that may even stop him from