By Rory Keane For The Irish Daily Mail
Published: 00:44 GMT, 21 February 2019 | Updated: 00:47 GMT, 21 February 2019
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Johnny Sexton is in line to start Ireland's Six Nations meeting with Italy in Rome.
Joe Schmidt is poised to give several fringe players the opportunity to press their claims against the Azzurri on Sunday, but it seems Sexton will remain at out-half.
Ireland's No 10 has played 103 minutes of rugby since Leinster's loss to Munster in Thomond Park on December 29 and lasted just 23 minutes of Ireland's 22-13 win over Scotland in Murrayfield.
Johnny Sexton is in line to start Ireland's Six Nations meeting with Italy in Rome
Sunday's encounter looks a prime opportunity to give Joey Carbery more exposure at out-half, but Ireland skills coach Richie Murphy hinted that Sexton could do with a run-out against Italy from the start.
'I think that's the big thing, he hasn't played a hell of a lot and because of that, it makes it tough just to get the feel,' he said.
'But the one
