Sexton on target to push Carbery for start against Italy

Andy Farrell will have a decision to make next week with Johnny Sexton set to return to fitness and looking for his jersey back off Joey Carbery.

The experienced Ireland out-half missed the 30-24 defeat to France due to a hamstring injury but is expected to be available for Sunday week's visit of Italy to Dublin.

"Yeah, [I expect him to be fit], all good," said the head coach when asked about his captain’s progress.

"He’s going through his protocols, he joined in training yesterday.

"He’s going through the end stages of rehab and we expect him to be fully fit next week."

Carbery, however, impressed on his first Guinness Six Nations start in the cauldron of Stade de France and will feel he did enough to keep his place.

Farrell wouldn’t divulge his thinking on the selection dilemma.

"We’ll see," he said.

"It’s not for me now, nor would you expect me to say who is going to start and who’s not.

"We’ll leave that to see how things unfold but the experience was great for him, the feedback on that experience has been great for him today.

"We trained against the Under-20s today and he’s put a few of those bits we talked about onto the field so it stands him in good stead to push on with his career."

One player who won't feature for the rest of the tournament is Ronán Kelleher, with the hooker ruled out with a shoulder injury that saw him replaced by fellow Leinster number 2 just 25 minutes into the match against Les Bleus.

"It's disappointing for Ronan and for us," added the Englishman.

"Him being out of the Six Nations will give other lads an opportunity to step forward.

"Dan is doing really well, it was a fantastic occasion for him and learning experience, going to Paris and playing so long. It’s a competitive position and that’s exactly