Sexton primed for recall against France as Ireland favour experience

Ireland insists there is a genuine selection battle at fly-half for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with France but the case for Johnny Sexton to start ahead of Paddy Jackson already appears closed.

Sexton, out of action since January with a calf strain, appears set to return to the Irish number 10 jersey at a sold-out Aviva Stadium this weekend, having successfully returned to full training at Carton House yesterday.

As convincing a run of form as his stand-in Jackson has put together, dating back to last summer’s tour to South Africa, the victory over Australia last November and the first two rounds of this 2017 RBS 6 Nations championship, the 24-year-old Ulster playmaker may have to settle for a place on the replacements bench if the Ireland management believe their main man Sexton is able to hit the ground running from a standing start.