Johnny Sexton: Ireland captain handed fitness boost ahead of Six Nations clash with Italy

Adam Kyriacou

Ireland could be handed a fly-half boost ahead of their upcoming Six Nations clash with Italy as it’s expected that Johnny Sexton will be fit to play.

Captain Sexton was absent for last Saturday’s narrow loss to France due to a hamstring injury but has returned to training during a two-day camp in Dublin.

The news comes as somewhat bittersweet after in-form hooker Ronan Kelleher was ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations through a shoulder injury.

Should be fit for Italy game

Asked for an update on Sexton, head coach Andy Farrell replied: “All good. He’s going through his protocols.

“He joined in training yesterday, he’s worked through the end stages of rehab and we expect him to be fully fit next week.”

Munster’s Joey Carbery deputised for Sexton at Stade de France, producing an assured display in arguably the biggest game of his career.

Farrell would not be drawn on whether Carbery will be given further chances to impress from the start in high-profile games, with fixtures against England and Scotland to come following the visit of the Italians on February 27.

“We’ll see. It’s not for me now – nor would you expect me to – to say who is going to start and who is not,” said Farrell.

“We’ll leave that to see how things unfold.

“But the experience was great for him. He’s put a few of those bits we talked about on to the (training) field today, so it stands him in good stead to push on with his career.”

READ MORE: Six Nations: Ireland’s Ronan Kelleher to miss the rest of the tournament through injury