Sexton confident Springbok scrum demolition was a 'one-off' for Ireland

Ireland’s issues have been many and varied in the last couple of seasons. Last Saturday against South Africa it was indiscipline and a demolished scrum that hurt most

Sexton speaks to head coach Andy Farrell during the loss to the Springboks. Pics: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

It’s November 2020 and Ireland have sandwiched a win over Wales with defeats to France and England. The natives are getting restless and James Ryan, the team captain, is preaching the need for patience.

Ryan spoke of inexperience in the room, the need to fix some setpiece stuff and vary their attacking plays. Not dissimilar to the present day, then. A few weeks later and Johnny Sexton was repeating the message that Ireland weren’t far away.