"Before Ban Ends" - Ireland create sneaky way for Johnny Sexton to return this week

Ireland continue their preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with a warm weather training camp in Portugal's Algarve. Part of the camp includes a behind-closed-doors training match against Portugal, as 'Os Lobos' prepare to embark on only their second ever Rugby World Cup campaign.

This exhibition friendly is expected to feature Sexton, as it is not officially sanctioned as a recognised fixture. The Times and Wales Online report how the 38-year-old is likely to make an appearance, as Andy Farrell looks to identify his squad for the trip to France.

Sexton's last competitive match was in Ireland's Grand Slam winning victory over England, back at the end of the 2023 Six Nations. Ireland's talisman re-aggravated a groin injury during that match, which ruled him out of action for the rest of Leinster's 2022/23 season.

Without Sexton, the Dubliners failed to get their hands on the United Rugby Championship after a semi final defeat to Munster, and also finished runners-up in the aforementioned Champions Cup Final to La Rochelle. Sexton's ban ruled him out of Saturday's 33-17 win over Italy, and sees him miss out on upcoming clashes against England and Samoa.

This upcoming training match against Portugal looks to be Sexton's one and only chance to experience full 'match action', before Ireland kick-off their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania on September 9th.

Head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed his final 33-man squad for the tournament this morning with a number of major stars missing out on the squad.

In the following article, we examine the five players specifically mentioned by Greenwood during his review of the squad.

Greenwood wrote: "Just a rockstar; a competitor, a winner, a champion, a goal-kicker under pressure. It seems like he has to keep proving himself, which surprises me. But I think he has to play 10."

Greenwood wrote: "Ellis would have been close to the full-time captain, surely. Eddie Jones moved him to defacto full-back and Steve wants him on the ball as much as possible, leading and snarling. It is a big World Cup for him. Can he prove himself on the international stage? Domestically, he’s bossed it."

Greenwood wrote: "Already authoritative like Peter Schmeichel; now can he become a ball-player like Ederson? He is worth his weight in gold because of aerial dominance. Wigglesworth needs to get hold of him and sharpen those skills because Hugo Keenan and Thomas Ramos, for example, offer more with more ball in hand."

Greenwood wrote: "Another absolutely guaranteed selection, despite being left out at the start of the last Six Nations. Now can he go Saturday, Saturday, Saturday at the back end of the tournament? Strap him up, get him out there. One more gig. Just like Rocky IV."

Greenwood wrote: "Among the first names you would write down. He can play across the back row and he’s experienced from 2019. He has also added something to his game by working on his handling."