Extent of Sexton’s role against Italy dependent on Racing

The extent of Jonathan Sexton’s role against Italy on Saturday week will be decided not so much by Joe Schmidt and his brains trust but by the Kiwi’s counterparts at Racing Metro who face French champions Castres this weekend.

Sexton returned to Paris yesterday with his thumb in a splint after the loss to England in Twickenham — despite the IRFU’s assurances on Monday he was fully fit —and to the prospect of yet another week on the go. The Ireland out-half has now featured against Scotland, Wales, Bayonne and England on successive weekends and, with Castres, Italy and France all to come in the next three weeks, burnout is an obvious concern.

Ronan O’Gara claimed earlier this month that it would be impossible for any player to undertake such a schedule without a break and the injury has only compounded the need for the player to be given a time out.