Fit-again Johnny Sexton objects to suggestion Ireland have gone backwards

"We can show you some video clips if you want of us creating lots of opportunities that we're not finishing - and that's the big learning for us, when there's opportunities at Test level you've got to take them."

Johnny Sexton acting as water carrier during Ireland's Autumn Nations Cup win over Georgia at the Aviva Stadium. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Fit-again Johnny Sexton will resume the Ireland captaincy against Scotland determined his side finish 2020 on a high while insisting they have not gone backwards under new head coach Andy Farrell.

Sexton, 35, looks set to return from a hamstring strain that kept him out for two deeply disappointing Irish performances in the Autumn Nations Cup, an 18-7 defeat to England at Twickenham and a 23-10 home win over group minnows Georgia that saw Farrell’s experimental team manage just three second-half points against the Tier-Two nation.