We’re not convinced by Ireland’s fitness update on Johnny Sexton

Why is this one being dragged out?

Johnny Sexton is extremely unlikely to play Italy this weekend but Joe Schmidt either read Joe Marler's improbable milk cure story or believes in another brand of miracle. On Saturday, Schmidt was asked about Johnny Sexton's fitness ahead of the trip to Rome. He replied:

"To be honest I'm not sure at this stage. We're going to wait and see.

"Johnny was not that far away so he could come into the picture. But the more time Paddy gets... the Six Nations is different."

Some backing for Jackson.

Ireland team manager Paul Dean faced the media at Carton House this afternoon and he had that usual mix of good and bad news that you get with this team. Johnny Sexton is BACK RUNNING(!) and a decision will be made on his participation later in the week. So news but no real news and a nation waits until Thursday's team announcement again. https://twitter.com/NicoleNaomi__/status/828601227252473856 The Irish squad will attend the funeral of former Leinster team doctor Arthur Tanner on Tuesday so their training schedule will be somewhat truncated. There was better news on winger Andrew Trimble, who trained fully this morning after missing the weekend loss to Scotland at Murrayfield. Peter O'Mahony is said to be back running too but his more realistic comeback would be the France game on February 25.