Sexton: It was 'smart thing' for Murray to sit out All Blacks test

Johnny Sexton has admitted it would have been a “big ask” for Conor Murray to have faced the All Blacks this weekend and the Ireland scrum-half not playing was “the smart thing”.

Murray, 29, was finally ruled out of the 2018 Guinness Series on Monday as he continues his recovery from a neck injury that has kept him sidelined since June.