Delay in disciplinary process left Johnny Sexton 'frustrated'

Johnny Sexton says that he will be hugely motivated to hit the ground running when he finally makes his return in Ireland's World Cup opener against Romania in just under two weeks.

The Ireland captain is expected to be put straight into the starting team for that Pool B opener in Bordeaux, as he looks to get up to speed after close to six months off.

The out-half hasn't played since the Grand Slam decider against England on 18 March because of a groin injury, although part of his layoff was self-inflicted after he was forced to sit out the three warm-up games against Italy, England and Samoa due to suspension.

Sexton picked up a three-game ban after a misconduct charge following Leinster's Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle in May where he was found guilty of being "confrontational and aggressive" towards the match officials after the game.

The 38-year-old said he had major regrets over the incident when speaking at Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad announcement on Sunday.

And having cost himself the chance of getting gametime ahead of the tournament, he says he knows there's pressure on him to perform instantly.

"Time will tell, when I get the chance to play, if I get a chance to play, I have to show it," he said.

"I have to show it in training over the next couple of weeks and then I will be motivated to do so. We will see in a couple of weeks."

Sexton (above) said he had nobody to blame but himself for the incident, but added that he was left frustrated by the length of the disciplinary process.

Confirmation that he would face disciplinary action arrived just under six weeks on from the 20 May final, while it was Sunday 16 July before his ban was announced.

"I've never seen another process last eight weeks or seven weeks,