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Publication date: November 1, 2020
Johnny Sexton has insisted that his angry behavior at being substituted at the end of Ireland’s 35-27 loss in the Six Nations in France was solely due to frustrations over his team’s performance.
Ireland captain Sexton was upset about being replaced by Ross Byrne in the fourth quarter of his team’s irritating loss at the Stade de France, repeatedly shaking his head on a lengthy drive from the grass.
Half-round masterclass
Ireland launched into France in pursuit of a fourth Six Nations title in seven years, but was overtaken by a mid-runner masterclass from Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
Dupont and Ntamack scored points with Virimi Vakatawa also crossing and the French claimed a penalty try to start, as England sealed the title on points difference.
Cian Healy, Robbie Henshaw and Jacob Stockdale crossed for Ireland, but Andy Farrell’s side was outmatched at St Denis.
When asked what was going through his mind when he was replaced, Sexton replied: “I was very disappointed to leave, as everyone would be.
“You’re losing the game and you’re dating, so what would you like me to do? It was a disappointment that we didn’t win the game.
“We were 28-20 down with 10, 12 minutes to go, we had a five-meter line-out and we didn’t capitalize. They are only the moments that we will remember and regret. “
Ireland failed to convert a series of penalty lines into attempts, rejecting shots on goal and came up short in the event.
🇫🇷☘️ It was comfortably the best game of the ‘Super Saturday’. #ART
📽️ Relive the #GuinnessSixNations Clash with the highlights. 👇 https://t.co/QTgFbbSpT7
– Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) October 31, 2020
Skipper Sexton insisted they would have made the same decisions in hindsight of a frustrating loss, but admitted nonetheless that Ireland’s execution disappointed them that night.
When asked if he regretted rejecting several shots on goal, Sexton said: “No, because they had the yellow card, so for 10 minutes we had the extra man.
“We should have scored from a couple of those who kicked into the corner, then just before half-time we could have taken three points and come in with the advantage.
“But look, we knew we had to win the game by six or four tries, so we were doing our best to push.
“We knew they could score shots out of nowhere, it’s a bit like when you play the All Blacks.
“You have to have the mentality to score attempts, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.
“The decision was brave, but the execution did not support the decision.”
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