Conor Murray: No extra pressure in Johnny Sexton’s absence

Conor Murray insists Johnny Sexton’s absence will not heap extra pressure on him to spearhead Ireland’s attack in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener in Italy. 

The Lions scrum-half is “through that first contact fear” after a month out with neck trouble, and should start against the Azzurri in Rome.

The sharp tactician shoulders the brunt of the playmaking duties in a French-style half-back set-up at Munster, but does not expect a repeat at Test level this weekend.