Sexton an ‘outside chance’ for Italian trip

Joe Schmidt has labelled Jonathan Sexton an “outside chance” for Ireland’s second RBS Six Nations tie, against Italy in Rome next Saturday week, though Munster captain Peter O’Mahony is highly unlikely to feature at the Stadio Olimpico, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Sexton sits out Saturday’s tournament opener against Scotland with a calf injury while O’Mahony’s hamstring has done for his chances of featuring in Murrayfield, at the very least.