Tommy Martin: Sexton’s volcanic intensity drove success, but captaincy requires backchannel diplomacy

Not since Roy Keane ruined a perfectly good evening’s cabaret at the Saipan Hyatt Regency has an Irish captain got his point across to his coach so effectively

Ireland’s Johnny Sexton leaves the field after being replaced during last Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match against France in Paris. Sexton’s open displeasure with coach Andy Farrell’s decision to take him off was played out to viewers. Picture: Inpho/James Crombie

Find someone who looks at you the way Johnny Sexton looks at Andy Farrell as he’s being subbed off with 12 minutes to go in a Six Nations decider. And then run a mile.

In terms of pure technique, it was one of the best things accomplished in a green jersey on Saturday night. Conveying his displeasure at being denied the chance to engineer a late drive for glory, Sexton worked the camera like Humphrey Bogart in his heyday.