Kearney pleased by a fit O’Connell and a ‘fresher’ Sexton

The news Paul O’Connell has taken a big step toward recovery and is likely to lead Ireland into battle with holders Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday certainly pleased team manager Mick Kearney yesterday.

But in reporting that the iconic O’Connell is on the mend, Kearney couldn’t resist also elaborating on Jonathan Sexton’s importance to the team after his near five-star display in the win over Scotland last weekend.

Having been apparently flogged by Racing Metro in the build-up to the autumn series, Sexton came into this particular camp with a spring in his step, Kearney said yesterday. “I think Jonathan is a lot fresher coming into camp. He had a good break, a week’s holiday in Dubai two weeks before he came in and he then went back and played a starring role against Toulouse where he scored 15 points including a try and set up another try.