'It knocked me for two weeks' - Sexton on Covid case

Johnny Sexton says he is back to full fitness following injuries and a Covid-19 infection.

The Ireland captain damaged his knee and ankle during last November's win over New Zealand and then had to cope with a Covid-19 infection.

However, he has since made a full recovery and played for Leinster twice over the last 10 days in Champions Cup wins over Montpellier and Bath.

"My body is okay, I had a frustrating couple of months post the New Zealand game," he said at the launch of the Guinness Six Nations.

"Injury, managed to get Covid, too, that knocked me for 10 days or two weeks so it was not an ideal prep but thankfully over the last few weeks I was able to step up training and get back on the field unscathed."

The 36-year-old, who will win his 102nd Ireland cap if selected for the 5 February meeting with Wales in Dublin, said the team wants to build on a successful autumn series, which also included wins over Japan and Argentina.

"We’ve got a pretty young squad apart from one or two outstanding outliers like myself," he said with a smile, "but the guys bring great energy when they get in.

"It’s a great camp to be a part of over the last couple of years and especially in November when we put things together and we put in some better performances that we had done previously.

"We hope to continue on that line leading up to the Six Nations. We are playing the reigning champions at home first up and all our focus is on that at the moment."

Wales captain Dan Biggar: Really tough start going to Ireland, with the form that they showed in the autumn. It's really important to get off a good start. We are coming into the tournament as champions so there is a swagger in the group #RTERugby #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/ONtSyRzhgn

The former