Johnny Sexton won’t place ‘putting on a show’ over getting the job done

AYE AYE CAP’N: Johnny Sexton gets his pass away at Ireland training at the IRFU High Performance Centre, Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, yesterday. Sexton says the gap between Six Nations games feels ‘almost like we’ve started again. It’s not like we’re playing on in the Six Nations, it’s almost like a fresh start.’ Picture: Inpho/Dan Sheridan

Watching the Heineken Champions Cup reach its climax from his living room did not make comfortable viewing for Johnny Sexton but it has lit a fire under the Ireland captain as he looks to be front and centre for the closing stages of the 2020 Six Nations.

Denied a shot at a fifth European title with Leinster, following his province’s quarter-final defeat at home to Saracens a month ago, the 35-year-old made sure he watched the tournament unravel through the semi-finals and final last Saturday when Exeter Chiefs were crowned champions last Saturday with victory over his former club Racing 92.