JOHNNY GREEN GIANT

Returning Sexton is hailed

IRELAND out-half Johnny Sexton has a point to prove in a must-win second Test against Australia after being restored to the starting side for the clash in Melbourne.

Sexton found himself on the bench in the 18-9 loss in Brisbane, where coach Joe Schmidt gave Joey Carbery the start as he builds depth ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The addition of 32-year-old Lion for the clash at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, however, should provide some calm assurance for an Ireland side rattled last week.

“He’s a world class player and he’s probably been the rock of their side for a number of years,” Wallabies out-half Bernard Foley said.

“He’s been the man who has led them to so much success over the last 15 to 18 months.

“We saw how threatening Sexton was when he came on in Brisbane, he made a big impact taking the ball to the line a bit more and backing his running. He found a few holes through the middle of our game.”

Sexton is one of eight changes Schmidt has made to his team while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will field an unchanged line-up.

Cian Healy, Niall Scannell and Tadhg Furlong form a new-look front row while Brisbane starter James Ryan is joined in the second row by Devin Toner.

Absent from the team sheet in Queensland, flanker Dan Leavy also returns to the starting line-up in the back row.

Garry Ringrose and Andrew Conway are the fresh faces in the backline while new Munster lock Tadhg Beirne is set for his first cap after being named among the reserves.

Cheika, meanwhile, expects his side to carry the momentum from Brisbane into the second match.

“I’d just like to give those guys another opportunity to get out there with the understanding of being together for another three or for days and try and do better,” Cheika said.