The 25-year-old bossed Ireland's backline again as head coach Schmidt's side claimed a record Six Nations win over the sorry Azzurri, with CJ Stander and Craig Gilroy both claiming hat-tricks.

Schmidt confirmed he expects Sexton to be fit to face France in Dublin on February 25 after calf trouble - but admitted the British and Irish Lions playmaker could now have to battle Jackson for the start.

"Johnny has proven that he can come straight back into a side and hit the ground running, and he's done that for us on other occasions," said Schmidt.

"I guess this window has allowed Paddy to put his hand up and say 'well, that shouldn't be an automatic choice'."

Jackson equalled former England star Johnny Wilkinson's record of nine conversions in a Six Nations match as Ireland romped past Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.

Keith Earls claimed a brace and Garry Ringrose a neat score too as Ireland coasted to a nine-try victory.

Stander became the first forward ever to score a hat-trick in the Six Nations in a bullish, man of the match performance.

Italy's capitulation was such that Gilroy claimed his treble inside 20 minutes, and Ireland secured their maiden Six Nations bonus point in just 34 minutes.

Schmidt expects Sexton, Peter O'Mahony and Andrew Trimble all to return to contest selection for the France clash, with Ireland now considering their campaign back on track after the 27-22 loss in Scotland last weekend.

"I think Paddy certainly learned a lot in South Africa through that summer series," said Schmidt.

"He learned a lot in November as well, particularly in that game against New Zealand where he came under a lot of pressure and had to make some decisions with very little time and space.

"And then again last week he did very well to lead us back into the game.

"He kicked well again today, but his second conversion was one of the ugliest I've seen!

"The flight of the ball it looked like a wounded duck and when he turned around to Richie he couldn't quite believe it had gone over either.

"But it was the same two points as the others he struck superbly. And the wounded duck was a bonus."

Robbie Henshaw suffered a dead leg and Rob Kearney a biceps injury, but Schmidt moved to downplay both concerns.

"Robbie just got caught on the thigh," said Schmidt.

"There's no doubt he could have played on.

"But in the context of a 35-10 scoreline we just felt that if you've got a bruise like that you do have a greater potential to get a soft tissue injury. He doesn't have that.

"In 48 hours the haematoma will have released and he'll be fine.

"I think Rob got the point of an elbow onto his biceps, I didn't really have a chance to talk to Rob. Over the next 48 hours we'll have further clarity."

Italy boss Conor O'Shea insisted his side can still move forward and forge a competitive Six Nations side despite another hefty defeat.

"We have to learn, we have to get mentally stronger, and we have a lot to change in Italian rugby to get that," said former Ireland full-back O'Shea.

"But I could name a lot of players in the 90s who were great Irish rugby players and without the right support were not able to fulfil what they could do.

"We have a really good group of players, and people will smile wryly, they will hang their heads - we will never hang our heads.

"And the intention is to fight tooth and nail to make the changes but also fulfil some short-term ambitions.

"I hate days like this. But we know what we have to do. But I still want the short-term to be great performances."

O'Shea also again defended Italy's place in the Six Nations, with continued calls from the likes of Georgia and Romania for promotion and relegation.

He added: "There will always be discussion but we have earned the right with performances over the years to be where we are: until the rules change there is no debate."