Johnny Sexton set to start Ireland’s Six Nations clash against Italy 

Johnny Sexton is in line to start Ireland’s Six Nations meeting with Italy in Rome.

Joe Schmidt is poised to give several fringe players the opportunity to press their claims against the Azzurri on Sunday, but it seems Sexton will remain at out-half.

Ireland’s No 10 has played 103 minutes of rugby since Leinster’s loss to Munster in Thomond Park on December 29 and lasted just 23 minutes of Ireland’s 22-13 win over Scotland in Murrayfield.

Johnny Sexton is in line to start Ireland’s Six Nations meeting with Italy in Rome

Sunday’s encounter looks a prime opportunity to give Joey Carbery more exposure at out-half, but Ireland skills coach Richie Murphy hinted that Sexton could do with a run-out against Italy from the start.

‘I think that’s the big thing, he hasn’t played a hell of a lot and because of that, it makes it tough just to get the feel,’ he said.

‘But the one thing that he’s always been able to do is hit the ground running. The big thing would be that, the Johnny and Joey balance. What way that pans out this week, we’ll just have to wait and see.

‘Johnny actually started [the Scottish game] really well in creating space for the try and a few overlaps on occasions where he was pretty close to actually unpicking them, so it’s getting that balance right, but he definitely hasn’t played enough rugby to be at full tilt yet.’ 

Sexton has played 103 minutes of rugby since Leinster’s loss to Munster on December 29

Schmidt has the likes of Robbie Henshaw, Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne available for selection this week.

Henshaw missed the win over Scotland with a dead leg but is now back in the reckoning.

The 25-year-old, who signed a contract extension with the IRFU until 2022 earlier this week, is set to feature at centre although Schmidt could give him another shot at full-back after he was thrust into the unfamiliar position against England.

‘I think it is something we still have in our minds,’ added Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw is back available for selection after recovering from a dead leg

‘He has obviously played a lot there in the past. There were some eyebrows raised when he was put in there against England but we felt very comfortable with Rob.

‘We felt he understood the position and the things that were going to be asked of him. Again, the English kicking game managed to squeeze him into a few corners but I don’t think it would have been any different if it was a different player so, yeah, he was scapegoated a little bit.

‘He is obviously a really good centre but he is capable of playing at No 15 as well.’ Schmidt will announce his starting line-up to face Italy tomorrow afternoon.