CJ Stander stands up for Johnny Sexton

CJ Stander has launched an impassioned defence of “tough guy” Johnny Sexton, insisting Ireland’s premier playmaker would never play-act.

Scotland centre Alex Dunbar was sin-binned for a judo-throw clean-out on Sexton at a ruck as Saturday’s clash descended into a fraught finish.

Scotland’s Pete Horne told referee Pascal Gauzere “he’s milking it” in reaction to Sexton’s nonplussed, theatrical response to being upended by Dunbar.