JOHNNY SEXTON IS FIT and available to face France this weekend after coming through this morning’s training session at Carton House.
The out-half missed the opening two rounds of the Six Nations with a calf injury but is now back in contention for the visit of Guy Noves’ Les Blues to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Sexton reported no issues after participating in the contact part of today’s session and kicking coach Richie Murphy said it’s now a ‘selection issue’ as to whether he starts against France or takes his place on the bench behind Paddy Jackson.
Fears have also been eased over the fitness of Rob Kearney and Conor Murray ahead of Ireland’s first home fixture of the Championship with both taking a full part in training.
“Johnny came in and out of yesterday’s session and no reaction to either of them,” Murphy said. “He took a full part today and with a little bit of contact in there as well. Both guys [and Kearney] should be ready to go this week.”
“Everyone else trained that was due to train. Conor Murray took full part today and yesterday after resting up late last week. Andrew Trimble has trained fully and it’s amazing to have fully fit squad.”
On Sexton, Murphy added: “He’s a big member of the squad, a big presence in the room. His leadership is important to the team and the group itself so having him back in training is really good.
“He has done this before. He has been out for long periods and come back in and been really good. So it’s not something that is new to him. We feel that he will be ready to go. We will make a decision as to whether he is ready or whether we go with Paddy.
“It’s just a selection issue now. There is no doubt over his availability to play. Johnny has no divine right to get picked, I’m not trying to create any confusion, the decision will be made on how they perform in training over the next few days.”
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