OUT FOR THE CONTE IAN TO THE RESCUE?

IAN Keatley is in Ireland’s 6 Nations camp despite confidence that Johnny Sexton will be fit for Saturday’s Murrayfield opener against Scotland.

Munster out-half Keatley, 29, trained with Joe Schmidt’s squad last week and is expected to remain with Ireland throughout this week as Sexton works his way back to full fitness.

Sexton, who suffered a bruised calf almost a fortnight ago, will resume full training at Carton House today.

“He has been training, it has been managed, he will train fully,” said team manager Paul Dean, who said that Sean O’brien and Keith Earls had also returned to full training.

He claims it would be a “hard hit” if Liverpool slump to a fourth straight home defeat with Jurgen Klopp already on the ropes after a disastrous month. Conte’s league leaders are 10 points ahead of the Reds and the Italian warned they will go for the jugular tonight. “For sure, it would be a hard hit, mentally, for them if they lose,” said the Stamford Bridge boss. “It’s important to beat them to

“I think everything’s fine. We are being really positive about it. Hopefully he’ll be fit and ready for Scotland.”

But the presence of Keatley (right) in camp only emerged when Munster defence coach Jacques Nienaber revealed it last night.

“Yes, Ian Keatley is with them,” confirmed Nienaber. “If Ireland need to keep him, they must keep him.”