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Johnny Sexton says Ireland's stars 'looked after' better than in England or France

Johnny Sexton has not played for Leinster since January 14. David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton believes the player welfare system in place in Ireland helps club and country as they push for honours.

Sexton -- who has not played for his province since the last round of Champions Cup action in January -- was one of 16 Ireland players involved against England in the Six Nations rested for last weekend's PRO14 action.

By contrast, only four of England's 23-man matchday squad from the previous week were absent when the Aviva Premiership resumed, all of whom were either injured or ill.

In total 19 returning England players played a total of 1,197 minutes in the Premiership compared to seven Ireland players -- only two of whom started at Twickenham -- who were on the pitch for a combined 466 minutes.

Sexton should return for Leinster's Champions Cup quarterfinal against Saracens on Sunday well rested, alongside the likes of Rob Kearney, Garry Ringrose, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan and Dan Leavy.

"I think we've got a great system here," Sexton was quoted as saying in the Telegraph. "I've been on the other side of the fence [with Racing 92 in the Top 14] and it can be tough when you are trying to do your best for club and country because you're never going to say no.

"I remember playing for Racing in the middle of a Six Nations when we were going for a Grand Slam and I had to go and play a game in between those international games.

"In an ideal world you don't have to play those games. Where we really get looked after is during preseason and leading up to World Cups and stuff. We are very well looked after."

Although Owen Farrell remains a fitness doubt for the Aviva Stadium clash, his international colleagues Jamie George, Maro Itoje -- who played the full 80 minutes against Harlequins -- Richard Wigglesworth and Mako Vunipola all appeared last weekend.

Despite that potential fatigue, and the fact Saracens limped into the last eight, Sexton expects a tough encounter on Easter Sunday as Leinster chase a fourth European Cup crown.

"Saracens thrive in those atmospheres, that 'against the world' attitude and they play their best under those circumstances," he said.

"Internal pressure is driving us, a sense that this team wants to create its own bit of history. A lot of the guys who had that European success [in 2009, 2011 and 2012] have moved on and now we want to start our own little chapter in Leinster's story."