Johnny Sexton wins personal duel with Paddy Jackson

Johnny Sexton has made a career out of performing when the demands are greatest and last night the Ireland out-half stamped his class all over his duel with Paddy Jackson.

This might not be Johnny versus Rog, yet, but you can be sure that Sexton, whose shoulders are easily chipped, wanted to douse the ambitions of his potential usurper for the Ireland No 10 jersey.

In a relentless opening quarter the ferocity of Leinster’s rucking and their intent in the collisions allowed Sexton to pull the strings and by the time he had put his side 13-0 up after 15 minutes, Jackson was yet to have a meaningful touch of the ball.