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Sexton given Six Nations all clear

Joe Schmidt has declared Johnny Sexton fully fit to start Ireland's RBS 6 Nations campaign after the fly-half's latest concussion scare.

Johnny Sexton is set to play. Credit: PA

Sexton was withdrawn from Leinster's 51-10 Champions Cup defeat to Wasps, but passed initial pitch-side Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and has since completed further tests to return to training.

Ireland head coach Schmidt lamented suggestions his frontline playmaker should consider quitting the sport to preserve his long-term health.

Schmidt branded those calls "a disappointment", frustrated that observers outside the Ireland camp have questioned expert medical opinion.

"Johnny trained really well yesterday, he's fully fit and ready to go, he's passed his three," said Schmidt.

"So that's the protocol.

"It was this time last year that the problem really arose and he had the break.

"Since that time he hasn't really had too many problems.

"So as far as we're concerned and as far as Johnny's concerned he's very keen to be ready to go in 11 days' time.

"He trained really well yesterday. I think he's good to go."

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