Johnny Sexton and Peter O'Mahony on track for New Zealand third Test

Captain and fly-half Sexton came off six minutes from time having, in his words, tweaked his right knee, while O’Mahony, 32, was removed for a Head Injury Assessment soon after

SAFE HANDS: Ireland’s captain Keith Earls lifted by Nick Timoney during the Captains Run. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

The storm clouds were gathering in the New Zealand capital ahead of this morning’s tour match against the Maori All Blacks but there was little to dampen the good spirits coursing through this Ireland squad as Andy Farrell gave positive health updates on both Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony.

The Irish management’s focus has firmly been on the next match up as an Ireland XV captained by Keith Earls were bidding to right the wrongs of their defeat to the Maori in Hamilton 13 days ago.