Sexton: I’ll learn from last year’s French faux pas

THERE must be hundreds of Irish rugby players, past and present, with bitter memories of France. Paris provides the backdrop for most of them but Jonathan Sexton’s stem from a freezing December night in Castres.

The young Dubliner had spent the first half of last season auditioning for the role of out-half along with Isa Nacewa but neither man had quite persuaded Michael Cheika that they were up to achieving the lead role.

Sexton started that Heineken Cup pool match at the Stade Pierre Antoine ten months ago and scored Leinster’s second try before the break, but his game management just wasn’t cutting it. When the sides re-emerged for the second-half, Sexton had been replaced by Felipe Contepomi. It was the Argentinian’s first game back from injury since late October. A huge call.