Sexton was speaking before Ireland’s match against England on Saturday amid ongoing uncertainty over who will in the long term fill the number 10 jersey he wore with distinction.

Sam Prendergast has started both Six Nations games this year, but head coach Andy Farrell has Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley and Harry Byrne as options against England.

“It’s important that they all keep developing and getting game-time,” added Sexton, who won 118 Ireland caps.

“So there are four guys and all the criticism from previous World Cup cycles is that we didn’t develop guys, and we have relied too heavily on one [player] in some positions.

“So we’re doing it a different way now and whether that’s right or wrong, everyone judges it by the outcome but I know that in games to come, they’re going to hit their best form and they’ll be in a good place.”

The former British and Irish Lions fly-half emphasised Ireland’s eagerness to have strength in depth for next year’s World Cup.

“All four are very good, they’ve all got their different strengths and as coaches I think we are trying to make sure that we have lots of options going to a World Cup, try and learn from previous cycles and make sure that we give them all a certain number of caps,” he added.

“We need to make sure that we see their form in different pressurised situations, in different venues against different opposition and yeah, I’m sure it will be like that for the foreseeable.”