Jonathan Sexton ready to hit a new level

Jonathan Sexton’s kicking talents are matched by his incredible mental strength.

After Ireland and Jonathan Sexton saw off France a fortnight ago in as bruising a game as the old field on Lansdowne Road has known, the Irish out-half made a gesture that said as much about him as anything he had done during the game. He made a point of tracking down every French player and shaking their hands. The look in his eyes told them though it wasn’t so much a gesture of sportsmanship as defiance.

“Hard luck, lads, you didn’t break us. You won’t break me.”