Skipper Sexton wants an Ireland driven by player power

Johnny Sexton will embark on his first Six Nations campaign as Ireland captain with Andy Farrell’s backing to increase player power within the national team camp.

The 34-year-old fly-half will return to full training today following six weeks sidelined by a knee injury as Ireland’s training camp in Portugal gets underway and there will be an extra spring in his step having been appointed to succeed Rory Best as skipper last week by incoming head coach Farrell.