Sexton set to orchestrate expansive approach

The gauntlet has been thrown down by Ireland’s assistant coach and now the boss must name a team to deliver the promise of expansive, free-wheeling rugby in the bid to exact revenge over Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney will kick-start the 2012 RBS 6 Nations campaign today by naming his matchday squad for the weekend’s home opener against a side which dumped his players out of the World Cup in October.

While the Ireland camp has played down any talk of seeking vengeance for that lacklustre exit in Wellington, Mark Tainton promised yesterday that the men in green would not be restrictive in their approach to the rematch.