Johnny Sexton confident goal-kicking not affected after injury lay-off

It's not going to matter tomorrow but Johnny Sexton and Andy Farrell have been in discussions about the Ireland out-half's goal-kicking.

The 38-year-old skipper will return to action for their World Cup opener against Romania in Bordeaux tomorrow (2.30pm) after six months on the sidelines through a combination of injury and suspension.

After finding himself beneath a host of England players in a vain attempt to stop a try in their Six Nations meeting last March, Sexton soon realised that he was in trouble.

He injured hip adductors – muscles that run from pelvis to knee – and that's a particularly sensitive area for dead-ball kickers.

The Six Nations top points scorer (562) was operated on by a specialist in the UK and is now fully healed.

But the subject of how he should ease his way back to a full swing was on the menu.

Asked if he was able to go through a normal kicking practice session, Sexton smiled and turned to head coach Farrell, who was seated beside him.

"Less than what he thinks. Was you in our conversation three days ago?" said Farrell, also with a grin.

In total, Sexton is second behind Ronan O’Gara as Ireland’s all-time top points scorer. He stands on 1050 and needs 34 more to overtake the former Munster out-half.

From that tally Sexton has kicked 211 penalties, 165 conversions and four drop goals, a sum of 975 points.

"I haven’t changed much," said Sexton.

"The early stages, I had to be very careful on the back of the surgeon’s advice, just making sure I built into it but over the last month I’ve been able to practice a good bit and trying to keep it little and often really.

"Trying to do bits every day, even on a day off today, trying to get down for 20 minutes and do a little bit and then move on.

"I’m very happy with