Lions put their faith in Sexton

– The spotlight will be firmly on Johnny Sexton (above) when the British and Irish Lions play the Maori All Blacks today, with the Lions unsure if top flyhalf Owen Farrell will be fit for the first Test.

Farrell, the Lions’ leading playmaker, was almost certain to start in the first Test against the All Blacks next weekend, until he suffered a thigh strain at training on Thursday.

“He will be back on the field as soon as possible,” was all assistant coach Steve Borthwick could offer as a heavily bandaged Farrell watched the Lions train yesterday.

Ireland’s Sexton, 31, the Lions’ star when they toured Australia four years ago, had already been named to start against the Maori.

But if Farrell does not recover in a week then an out-of-form Sexton is likely to wear the No 10 jersey in the first Test. – AFP

Dunedin