Kearney insists green jersey still on the peg for O’Gara

Forget the tributes and put the highlight reels back in the video library, Ronan O’Gara could be back in a green jersey before the RBS 6 Nations is out, the Ireland management has insisted.

Despite being axed from Ireland’s squad for this Saturday’s Aviva Stadium clash against France, O’Gara’s 128-cap Test career might not be at the end most observers assumed when Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan were called up alongside the still recuperating first-choice fly-half Jonny Sexton.

Sexton, rated a 50/50 chance of starting against the winless French in Dublin as he recovers from a hamstring injury, could be named in Ireland’s starting side today as Declan Kidney gives the Leinster out-half every chance of returning to full fitness for the must-win clash.