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Michael Scully

Johnny Sexton will take disciplinary hearing in his stride says Garry Ringrose

Johnny Sexton will deal with whatever is thrown at him as he awaits his EPCR hearing, says Garry Ringrose.

The veteran out-half who could be facing a ban if an independent panel finds that he was abusive to referee Jaco Peyper and other match officials after the Champions Cup final on May 20.

The misconduct hearing will take place on July 13 and, if it doesn't go his way, Sexton could be looking at missing one or two of Ireland's three World Cup warm-up games next month.

Read more: Graeme McDowell fails to qualify for The Open for a third successive year

The Ireland skipper hasn't played since he was injured against England on March 18 but Ringrose doesn't believe there is a shadow hanging over his Test colleague.

"I don't think so," said Ringrose. "He's certainly training as hard as ever and getting the most out of everyone around him. Nothing's changed from that perspective. I don't know, is the honest answer, but hopefully it's alright.

"He has an unbelievable gift that whatever challenge seems to be thrown at him he deals with it head on and is resilient and gets through it.

"So him coming back, whether he gets to play all the pre-season games or if he or some guys pick up a niggle and have to wait until the World Cup to play, he and a few others are brilliant at being able to tackle any challenge that comes their way.

"He's an unbelievable leader for us. He has so much experience when it comes to the World Cup so everyone is still tapping into him as much as they can and he has been brilliant at helping other guys around him, whatever might happen outside of that.

"Whatever happens, happens but I know he'll be able to take it in his stride."

Ringrose was at the centre of the great Irish rugby wedding season in recent weeks. He got married himself, in Cavan, and managed a couple of days on honeymoon before attending a friend's wedding.

How many did he get to altogether? "Oh, whichever ones we were lucky enough to be invited to," he laughed.

Gary Ringrose celebrates after Ireland's Six Nations win over Wales back in February (©INPHO/Ashley Crowden)

"I was over at Joey (Carbery) and Robyn's wedding, which was brilliant, and got to Ed (Byrne) and Rebecca's wedding, which was brilliant as well. We were lucky enough to squeeze ours somewhere in the middle."

All the festivities were squeezed into a short window between the end of the playing season and June 18, the first day of World Cup camp for the chosen 42 players under the watchful eye of Andy Farrell.

"It was just laying a foundation for what's ahead," the Dubliner said. "Getting everyone back up to speed, there's an expectation that it's not something you wait for to happen.

"You arrive ready to go and for the most part that was the case.

"There was no major fear factor when it came to the pre-season which sometimes is out there. It was just about building the foundation physically, mentally, from a technical and tactical point. It was a gradual build each day and everyone is back excited.

"There's 42 in camp and it has to be whittled down, but whatever the group ends up being there's a high chance anyone in the 42 will end up playing. Guys that aren't in the camp as well could end up playing.

"I've been in one World Cup, some of the lads have been in a few and they all say that it's the strength of the group that leads to a successful World Cup.

"It's early stages - we're excited and grateful to be in the 45 and so everyone's doing everything they can to make themselves better. Hopefully that makes the whole group better.

As for the finals and the big expectations on Irish shoulders after the results of the past 12 months, Ringrose believes the key is to not look beyond the now.

"If 2019 taught us anything it was to take it one game at a time," he commented. "It’s a massive challenge and hugely motivational, an incredible opportunity but it all boils down to the challenge first up, the game after that and so on.

"I certainly wouldn’t think many look at it as a pressure, more an outside narrative. I don’t find value in it and I don’t think other lads do.

"It’s the challenge that an Irish team hasn’t done that before but that’s down the line in the competition. It’s what we're facing first off that matters.

"It's crazy how quick time has flown by since the last World Cup. So much has happened in the interim. It makes me appreciate the opportunity to go into a pre-season and give it a crack.

"It's an opportunity to represent our country in a World Cup. It's the pinnacle, really. It's hugely exciting, hugely motivating - and one I can't wait to get stuck into and will hopefully get there."

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