Johnny Sexton caught napping in race against the clock

Racing Metro 13 ASM Clermont Auvergne 13: Johnny Sexton expressed his bemusement with the French Top 14 countdown clock for goal-kicking after he was penalised for taking too long over a penalty in Racing Metro’s drawn league game with Clermont.

The league-leading visitors snatched a draw at Stade Yves du Manoir in Colombes on Saturday night with a late try from substitute wing Noa Nakaitaci, converted by fly-half Brock James. Sexton had kicked two penalties and converted a try by Marc Andreu he had set up with a neat crossfield kick.

Yet it was the one that got away which preyed on Sexton’s mind as he got through a tough 66 minutes in one piece ahead of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations meeting with England at Aviva Stadium next Sunday.