Only ‘luck and small margins’ separate Ireland from Scotland, says Johnny Sexton

Ireland's Johnny Sexton takes a kick against Scotland last December. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

The Six Nations record against Scotland tells a story of Irish dominance yet as far as Johnny Sexton is concerned, the difference between the sides has always been one of small margins.

Ireland’s 19-12 win in Dublin on the opening day of the 2020 championship was the 17th by Sexton’s team in 21 years of the Six Nations, the Scots’ fourth and most recent win coming at Murrayfield in 2017. It is a pattern of Irish success that points to a winning formula over their Celtic rivals.