Farrell and Sexton are made for each other: Fierce, driven, clever and hard-nosed

Twickenham's nets are full of RFU own goals, not least letting Faz off to Ireland

LEADERS: Jonathan Sexton of Ireland, left, and Owen Farrell of England shake hands. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

THERE used to be a well-trodden path across Co. Down that led to the home of Jackie Kyle, a Grand Slam winner in 1948 and a man of warmth and generosity, as erudite off the field as he was on it, investing intellect and boldness into out-half play that took Ireland to such unprecedented heights. 

I was of those who made that pilgrimage a couple of decades or so ago, essentially seeking an answer as to why it had taken Ireland so bloomin’ long to land another clean sweep in the championship. Yet here they are now, like No. 25 buses backing up in Merrion Square, all coming in a cluster, common as you like.