Johnny Sexton plays up potential of young Ireland squad

Asked what excited him about the current Ireland squad, Sexton said: “The calibre of player, the calibre of coaches that we have”

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton.

Johnny Sexton stands by his assertion made in the afterglow of victory over Italy that he has never been more confident about the direction his Ireland team are moving in but the captain is demanding they must continue to prove it on the pitch.

The Guinness Six Nations round-three win in the Roman sunshine two weeks ago lifted the spirits of Ireland supporters after back-to-back defeats to Wales and France, not just for the bonus-point 48-10 victory but the manner of the performance from Andy Farrell’s team.