Sexton provides the X factor

CARL LEWIS once said that life was all about timing and a man whose day job was all about shaving milliseconds should know.

It seems reasonable to say then that the former American athlete and multiple-Olympic champion would take a shining to Jonathan Sexton who, on Saturday, proved to be the right man in the right place at the right time.

Consider the circumstances. London Irish had just claimed the lead for the first time with Chris Malone’s penalty. There was just over one minute left on the clock and Leinster needed three points to secure a draw and a home quarter-final.