Fired-up Johnny Sexton returns to steady Ireland ship against Scotland

Not just fit but firing, Sexton will lead an Ireland side under pressure to perform

Ireland's Johnny Sexton watching on during the win over Georgia. Picture: INPHO/Gary Carr

The sight of a fit-again Johnny Sexton roaring back onto the pitch will be a reassuring sight for Ireland supporters this weekend when the captain returns from a hamstring injury.

The knowledge that when the veteran fly-half faces Scotland in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup play-off at Aviva Stadium he will be fuelled by media chit-chat that he is past his sell-by date gives hope to them that Ireland’s troubles of the last two weeks have been but a temporary blip in his absence.