Ten matches that helped define Johnny Sexton's career in green

Think back over the greatest moments in Ireland’s rugby history over the past decade and Johnny Sexton has been at the heart of most of them. Three Six Nations titles, including the 2018 Grand Slam, a series win in Australia and two victories over the All Blacks are just some examples

MAN OF THE MATCH! Jonathan Sexton and Jamie Heaslip celebrate victory over England back in March 2011.Picture: Brendan Moran

Think back over the greatest moments in Ireland’s rugby history over the past decade and Johnny Sexton has been at the heart of most of them. Three Six Nations titles, including the 2018 Grand Slam, a series win in Australia and two victories over the All Blacks are just part of the story that shows that when Sexton excels, so do Ireland.

The 36-year-old makes his 100th Test appearance for his country against Japan in Dublin today in what will be his 91st Test start. That speaks volumes for the influence the fly-half and captain has exerted over Irish rugby since his debut 12 years ago and why former team-mate and current Ireland assistant coach Paul O’Connell ]placed him in the same company as Henry Shefflin and Roy Keane in terms of their winning mentalities.