Sexton starts as Schmidt ‘really confident’

RBS 6 NATIONS:

Joe Schmidt has opted for continuity as Ireland face Italy in their penultimate Six Nations encounter tomorrow, with the enforced replacement of the injured Peter O’Mahony by Iain Henderson the only alteration to his starting XV.

Which means, of course, that among those lining up for the anthems at Aviva Stadium tomorrow will be out-half Jonathan Sexton, who will wear a strap on the thumb he injured against England two weeks ago. Not a bad result, all told, given the medical bulletin that emanated from Racing Metro last week painted an apocalyptic picture of a return date in May.