Ireland boss Andy Farrell has dismissed criticism of starting out-half Joey Carbery after Ireland looked more threatening in attack against Italy when Johnny Sexton returned off the bench.
Carbery started his second Six Nations game in a row on Sunday and struggled at times to organise his team-mates in the right attacking shape, with Italy's defence earning a number of breakdown penalties off the back of that.
But Farrell insisted it was important that, given the strange scenario that unfolded when Italy were reduced to 13 men after only 19 minutes, Carbery was on the frontline and gaining experience in dealing with the situation.
Sexton, who proved his fitness after missing the France match with a hamstring injury, will return from the start against England at Twickenham on Saturday week.
"It's a little unfair on Joey," Farrell said. "It's not just down to Joey, obviously. He played very well.
"Craig (Casey) played very well at scrum-half when he came on as well. He sped the game up a little bit.
"It isn't just down to the halves, it's down to the whole of the backline really to see where the space is.
"But that's why it's so important for Joey to start the game on Sunday - so he could feel the preparation going into the game and handle the situations in the first half, rather than coming on for the last 10 minutes.
"It's priceless for him."
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