IT'S TIME TO STEP UP & BE COUNTED

With Sexton missing, O'Connell wants other players to take the shackles off and express themselves

- MICHAEL SCULLY

PAUL O'Connell says that Ireland will happily reach into their silver linings playbook with Johnny Sexton absent for the World Cup warm-ups.

O'Connell admits that "it's a worry" for Sexton that he will miss all three of the build-ups, starting with Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, after being slapped with a ban for his antics after the Champions Cup final match in May.

The 38-year-old, injured in the final Six Nations game in March, will be out of action for close to six months when he is finally available to Andy Farrell for the World Cup opener against Romania on September 9.

"He wants to finish playing really, really well, and I'd say he'd love to have a few more games under his belt," said forwards coach O'Connell.

"But it is what it is. And it's a silver lining for our squad that it allows some guys to take ownership. It's not something I'm worried about."