Warren Gatland defends Johnny Sexton after dismal Lions performance

Sexton trudged off after 48 minutes of a disappointing Lions performance to open their 2017 tour of New Zealand.

Warren Gatland has insisted it would be "unfair" to write off Johnny Sexton's challenge for a British and Irish Lions Test shirt after a wretched night in Whangarei.

Ireland fly-half Sexton struggled in the Lions' opening match over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, with Owen Farrell stepping off the bench to salvage a 13-7 victory.