Ireland boss upbeat about Johnny Sexton’s fitness, following Ronan Kelleher blow

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell expects captain Johnny Sexton to be fit for next weekend’s clash with Italy after losing Ronan Kelleher for the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations.

Fly-half Sexton missed last Saturday’s 30-24 defeat away to France because of a hamstring injury but has returned to training with the squad during a two-day camp in Dublin.

Hooker Kelleher was forced off in the first half in Paris due to a shoulder issue and was ruled out of the remainder of the championship on Friday morning.

Asked for an update on Sexton, Farrell replied: “All good. He’s going through his protocols.

“He joined in training yesterday, he’s worked through the end stages of rehab, and we expect him to be fully fit next week.”

Munster’s Joey Carbery deputised for Sexton at Stade de France, producing an assured display in arguably the biggest game of his career.

Farrell would not be drawn on whether Carbery will be given further chances to impress from the start in high-profile games, with fixtures against England and Scotland to come following the visit of the Italians on February 27th.

“We’ll see. It’s not for me now – nor would you expect me to – to say who is going to start and who is not,” said Farrell.

“We’ll leave that to see how things unfold.

“But the experience was great for him. He’s put a few of those bits we talked about on to the (training) field today, so it stands him in good stead to push on with his career.”

Injury-victim Kelleher has staked his claim as the long-term successor to the retired Rory Best in the number two jersey and his loss is a major blow.

The talented 24-year-old has established himself as a key part of the pack, making seven successive Test starts, in addition to being his country’s leading