Sexton continues rehab as France loom

Jonathan Sexton is battling to be fit for Ireland’s Six Nations clash with France on March 9 (Aviva Stadium, 5pm).

Sexton, continuing his rehabilitation on a hamstring injury sustained against England, is set to resume running this week according to a medical update from the Irish camp.

His availability would be a massive boost to under-fire coach Declan Kidney following the failure of his replacement Paddy Jackson with the boot in Sunday’s shattering defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.