Ireland hopeful of Sexton return for clash against France

Ireland team manager Paul Dean is hopeful of their talismanic playmaker Johnny Sexton returning to action during the upcoming Six Nations clash against France.

The 31-year-old was recovering from a calf injury while playing for his club Leinster and was forced to miss the opening two rounds in the ongoing Six Nations tournament against Scotland and Italy.

Apart from Sexton, Ireland also had concerns over fullback Rob Kearney and scrum-half Conor Murray, who were suffering from a bicep injury and adductor issue respectively.

However, Dean confirmed that all the three players are expected to take part in full training on Tuesday.

"Everybody looks good to fully train tomorrow [Tuesday]," said Ireland team manager Dean.

"Johnny Sexton will play a part in training today, but will fully train tomorrow. Hopefully when he comes through that, he'll be fine for the weekend.

"Rob Kearney continues to make progress. He'll do some contact work today and he'll fully train tomorrow.

"If you talk to Johnny and Rob they'll both say that they're 100 per cent fit and ready to go, so we just need the medics to pass them and they need to prove to us that they are.

"Conor Murray's workload was managed in Monaghan last week. It was a difficult week for the players last week, but I'm happy to report that the outlook is positive.

"Conor was tight, so we thought it prudent to call up Kieran Marmion. He trained with Connacht on Thursday, with us on Friday and he was rested at the weekend."

Flanker Peter O'Mahony is also set to return to action after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Reports also emerge that Ireland fly-half Ian Madigan might end his current stint with french club Bordeaux Begles and is likely to join an English club in Aviva Premiership.

Madigan last featured for Ireland in June 2016 and has dropped out of contention following his move to France and Dean hopes for the 27-year-old to return back to Irish province.

"I'd personally love to see him back in Ireland," said Dean.

"We'd be able to invite him to the sessions, keep an eye on him and watch his progress. It's difficult when you're abroad, as we all know.

"I think the Premiership, he'd be better off coming home in my book, let's say."

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