France scare against Italy not ideal but Ireland captain Sexton raring to go

Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton concedes that France's scare against Italy last weekend wasn't all that welcome in the home camp.

Fabien Galthie's 2022 Grand Slam champions opened the defence of their title by scrapping past a sticky Azzurri outfit, who came within a single score of causing a huge upset.

With the top two ranked sides in the world set to go toe-to-toe on Saturday in round two of the Guinness Six Nations, Sexton and likely the rest of the Irish side might have preferred a more routine victory for Les Bleus instead of the kick up the derriere that the 29-24 win provided.

"Yeah, part of me, when I was watching it," said the Leinster out-half with a smile when asked if he had hoped France might have made live easier for themselves.

"But look, we got to see what France are like when they are tested, some good things from that.

"We knew this game, no matter what happened in the first game, for us or for them, was a standalone game come Saturday.

"It's one of those one-off, big games, we know they are going to be big consequences in terms of the rest of the tournament, win or lose.

"We're really focussed on this game and it's good to be able to say that. We were honest when we said we wanted to concentrate fully on Wales and that's exactly what we did last week, which we did.

"A decent performance, especially the first 30 was excellent. We just dropped off a little. It just takes a little bit...so good lessons in it for us as well."

Questioned on what to take from the stuttering nature of France's win, centre Stuart McCloskey also gave a knowing smile.

"I don't want to give too much away, do I," said the 30-year-old Ulster centre, in line for his tenth international cap at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

"Italy are a pretty