Sexton ready, Jackson “has been brilliant”

Editor

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt faces a real selection dilemma ahead of the weekend with Johnny Sexton returning to full fitness.

Sexton missed Ireland’s first two matches, which ended in defeat to Scotland before winning comfortably against Italy in Rome.

His replacement, Paddy Jackson, has received plenty of praise for his performances in both outings, raising the question of whether Sexton would simply walk back into the starting XV.

Ireland assistant coach Richie Murphy suggested the debate was still on going when he addressed the media on Tuesday, as the 2015 champions continue their preparations to face France.

“Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney trained fully today, so both should be ready to go this week,” Ireland skills coach Murphy said.

“Johnny gets picked like everyone else; he has no divine right to get picked.

“Will he get picked? That is a decision that has to be made.

“I am not trying to create any confusion. All I am saying is that there will be a decision made on the back of how he has performed over the last two days.

“Paddy Jackson has been brilliant. We have been very lucky that while Johnny has been out Paddy has been stepping in and filling that gap really well, since probably last summer.

“He has really stepped up to the mark and he’s improving all the time.

“He is still only 25 and Johnny was only getting capped for the first time at the age that Paddy is at now, so he has worked really hard with Johnny off the pitch in order to help him drive things.

“It is starting to come to a stage where there are other options there.”