'We lost, but we won' — Johnny Sexton bids farewell in retirement message

The Ireland skipper bows out as one of the country's most decorated players.

IN THE FRAME: Captain Jonathan Sexton poses for a selfie with supporters on the Ireland rugby team's arrival at Dublin Airport. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Johnny Sexton has bowed of professional rugby with an emotional statement in which he says Andy Farrell's Ireland inspired the country.

The Leinster out-half played the last game of a glittering career in the narrow Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks in Paris.