Joe Schmidt sweats as Johnny Sexton set for Racing game-time

Johnny Sexton will put his black eye and facial stitches in the firing line in Paris tonight as he bids to clock up some more game time ahead of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with England in eight days. 

Fly-half Sexton is one of a number of Joe Schmidt’s squad members on duty this weekend as the head coach casts an eye over his wider squad with vacancies still available for the next phase of the championship.

Fourth-placed Racing Metro face an important French Top 14 clash with leaders Clermont Auvergne at Stade Yves du Manoir (7.45pm Irish time) with Schmidt powerless to stop the Parisians calling on their man.