IT’S DAY OF RECKONING FOR SEXTON

D-DAY has arrived for Johnny Sexton in his bid to be fit for Ireland’s 6 Nations clash with France on Saturday. Sexton (above) must play a full part in today’s training session at Carton House if Joe Schmidt is to consider him ahead of Paddy Jackson for the no 10 role. The 31-year-old was again limited to running in yesterday’s session, but Rob Kearney took some contact and is likely to play a full part in his bid to convince Schmidt he’s fit after a bicep injury. “Everybody looks good to fully train,” stated team manager Paul Dean. “If you talk to Johnny and Rob they’ll both say that they’re 100 per cent fit and ready to go. “So we just need the medics to pass them and they need to prove to us that they are.” Dean also revealed that Connacht’s Ultan Dillane is omitted on form. Dillane was on the bench for the opening championship encounters with Scotland and Italy, but his provincial colleague Quinn Roux got the nod for the 34-man Ireland squad. “Ultan is not with us this week, he’s not injured,” said Dean. Josh van der Flier was ruled out with a shoulder injury he sustained on Friday in action for Leinster. Meanwhile Jamie Heaslip has reacted to a report suggesting his former colleague Ian Madigan could be on the move again after just one season with Bordeaux Begles. It has been a difficult start to the Dubliner’s stint in France and he has not been involved in Ireland’s plans since he left his native province. He’s linked with a move to the Premiership rather than a move back to Ireland in yesterday’s Midi Olympique newspaper. “I have a lot of time for Ian, I thought it was the right decision at the time,” said Heaslip. “He’s a smart guy and I just hope he makes the right decision for him to be honest. “He’s a good player and I’m going to try and give him a ring to see if I can get some insights on the French No9s.”