Thumbs up for Johnny Sexton

Jonathan Sexton has returned to training with the Irish rugby team as preparations continue for their RBS Six Nations Championship match against Italy at the Aviva Stadium. The influential out half suffered a thumb injury during the defeat to England and it was fear he could miss the rest of the tournament. Joe Schmidt received positive news from a specialist overnight and the Racing Metro man was back in action at Carton House today. Peter O’Mahony seems more of a concern. The Munster captain is recovering from a hamstring strain, but Forwards coach John Plumtree told Ross Lindsay that O’Mahony was 'pretty banged up' after the Twickenham clash.