Sexton has ‘no divine right’ to push ahead of Jackson, says coach

JOHNNY SEXTON must fight past Paddy Jackson and earn the right to start Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France, according to coach Richie Murphy.

Sexton, Rob Kearney and Conor Murray have all been passed fit to face Les Bleus in Dublin on Saturday, with Andrew Trimble also finally over a groin complaint.

British and Irish Lions fly-half Sexton missed Ireland’s opening two Six Nations encounters after suffering a calf problem in Leinster’s 24-24 Champions Cup draw in Castres on January 20.

Ireland skills coach Murphy hailed Ulster playmaker Jackson’s performances in Sexton’s absence, and then insisted coach Joe Schmidt will face a tough selection decision this week.

“Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney trained fully today, so both should be ready to go this week,” said Murphy.

“Johnny gets picked like everyone else; he has no divine right to get picked. Will he get picked? That is a decision that has to be made.

“I am not trying to create any confusion. All I am saying is that there will be a decision made on the back of how he has performed over the last two days.

“Paddy Jackson has been brilliant. We have been very lucky that while Johnny has been out Paddy has been stepping in and filling that gap really well, since probably last summer.

“He has really stepped up to the mark and he’s improving all the time. He is still only 25 and Johnny was only getting capped for the first time at the age that Paddy is at now, so he has worked really hard with Johnny off the pitch in order to help him drive things.

“It is starting to come to a stage where there are other options there.”

Ireland have been handed a boost through scrum-half Murray’s recovery from a mild hip issue and full-back Kearney shaking off a biceps problem.