Sexton: I’ve had to pinch myself over dream year

Johnny Sexton reflected on a landmark year for Ireland as he accepted the Guinness Rugby Writers Ireland Player of the Year award and did not waste too long stressing the importance of staying at the peak of the world game.

Last season was a remarkable body of work for the fly-half, who won not just a Six Nations Grand Slam and a series in Australia but also an historic Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14 double.