Johnny Sexton returns as Leo Cullen potentially gives us a glimpse at Ireland’s Six Nations midfield

Poor old Zebre could be on the end of a hammering on Friday evening.

There had been no small amount of concern in Irish rugby circles that Johnny Sexton had not played since Ireland's combative defeat to the All Blacks back in November. Despite being spoken of positively in dispatches by head coach Leo Cullen, the Lions fly-half did not feature at all in the festive period, which had some worried that the hamstring injury he was nursing was more serious than first thought. However it seems the 31-year-old is returning to fitness in perfect time for the final rounds of the Champions Cup and the Six Nations. https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/816977554959581188 Even more exciting, after a Christmas of under-strength teams, the fly-half returns to a backline that also features Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose in the centre positions. With the in-form Adam Byrne and Rory O'Loughlin on the wings it could be an exciting evening at the RDS... or try-riddled at least. There are also starts for Test stars Cian Healy and Sean O'Brien in a much-changed pack, in a line-up that is sure to pique the interest of Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.