Ireland defend Sexton inclusion after 12-week lay-off

The IRFU has fired an angry broadside at allegations that sending Johnny Sexton into RBS 6 Nations action against France after a 12-week concussion lay-off could prove “a big mistake”.

Former France international Laurent Benezech criticised Ireland’s decision to start Sexton against Les Bleus in Dublin today, following his three-month stand-down for suffering four concussions in one year.