McFadden admits Sexton is as 'tough as nails' for Ireland and teams are wasting their time
FERGUS McFADDEN says opponents are wasting their time targeting Ireland's "talisman" fly-half Johnny Sexton.
Fergus McFadden has heaped praise on Johnny Sexton for his consistency for Ireland
Sexton's Leinster team-mate McFadden marvelled at the British and Irish Lions' playmaker's ability to shake off big hits and keep on churning out first-class performances.
Even the usually straight-laced Sergio Parisse tried a late hit on Sexton as Ireland swept past Italy 58-15 for their first win of this year's Six Nations in Dublin on Saturday.
"He doesn't shy away from it. In a way it plays to his strengths when guys run down his channel because he's a very physical tackler and he gets a lot of turnovers himself.
"We need Johnny to be fully fit for us next week so he can do a job on the Scots."
Ireland entered the Six Nations as defending champions but are now fighting for a mid-table finish, a return that coach Joe Schmidt has long since accepted as reasonable given the daunting injury count.