Johnny Sexton has praised Joey Carbery's Ireland display in Paris but insists "nothing has changed" in the battle for Ireland's no 10 shirt.
It's business as usual this week as skipper Sexton returns to the starting out-half slot having recovered from the hamstring injury that he suffered four days out from the loss to France in the last round of the Six Nations.
"I trained fully at the back end of last week and then did a day with the physios the day we played the under-20s, and then trained fully again today and yesterday, so good to go thankfully," said the 36-year-old.
Sexton fulfilled the captain's press conference today so will start against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.
Andy Farrell weighed up the pros and cons of bringing Sexton back in ahead of the clash with England in two weeks time or keeping Carbery in situ for a second Test game on the spin and came down on the side of the Leinster man.
"I pulled out early on the Wednesday and was hoping it wasn't too bad, but we went for a scan and it was bad enough to rule me out of the game," recalled Sexton, who travelled to Paris with the squad.
"But we've been swapping in and out all the time. I thought he (Carbery) did well. To get called in late, it's always tougher.
"I suppose he would have been preparing the same anyway, knowing him, he's a very good professional and always does his prep right. So I don't think it would have affected him too much.
"But look, he was composed on the day and did well, and it's good for him, (after) having a tough time with injuries to get back.
"He's played a few games now in the summer and then Argentina and France, so he's getting those games in the international arena under his belt and he'll only be much better for it."
As regards Carbery edging closer to the long-time first choice, Sexton stressed he was not feeling any extra pressure.
“I’m well used to competition," he said.
"Like, I’ve had it early doors, whether it was with Ronan (O'Gara) and Felipe (Contepomi) with Ireland and at Leinster, and when you have the jersey there is always someone else that you are competing with over the years like Ian Madigan, Ian McKinley, Paddy Jackson or Joey obviously.
“Joey has been around a long time now. He is 26 now so I have been used to it for the last five years really.
"It’s nothing new. Nothing has changed for me. What’s important for me is that I prepare as best I can.
"I can’t worry too much about what other people are doing. You’ve got to concentrate on yourself and that’s what I have always tried to do.
“Of course I respect all the other 10s at Leinster. I've got great competition with the other three guys there and so it is nothing new. You have to make sure you are fit and firing when you do get the chance to play.”
Ireland lost by six points without Sexton and he admits he found it hard to watch the game unfold without being at the heart of it.
"Yeah, of course," he said. "I'm not the best spectator and this game was particularly tough.
"I suppose it was a game I almost had in my head for the last two years, based on what happened there previously and I thought that I was in a great place to go and put those demons to bed.
“It’s not one thing that let us down, it was small things in a lot of areas.”
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