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Johnny Sexton believes Ireland’s late victory over France was a vital Championship winning moment, having clinched the Natwest 6 Nations title with a 28-8 win over Scotland in Dublin.
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That success coupled with England’s 22-16 defeat to France in Paris handed Ireland the Championship with a week to spare.
“It is I suppose one now, but like we said after it was a very special moment for the team. I think we will look back at that when we lift that trophy next week, hopefully a Grand Slam and we can look back at those five minutes and we can say that was a huge moment in our success.”
But the Ireland outhalf insisted the team is not getting carried away and focus is very much on facing England at Twickenham on St. Patrick’s Day.
Ireland beat England 13-9 in Dublin in 2017, but have not won at Twickenham since 2010.
“Look it’s very muted upstairs, it is a very strange feeling to win the Championship with a game to go and so much to play for and we know how difficult it is going to be with England. The shoe is on the other foot after last year and I am sure they will be licking their lips.”
“History doesn’t protect you” – Schmidt not worried by England’s Twickenham record
The Grand Slam remains a huge personal motivation for the Leinster man.
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“Look I’d be lying if I said otherwise. As Declan Kidney said I was just as much a part of it as anyone else in 2009 when I was in the bibs, I definitely didn’t feel that way, but I think I remember some of the talks around that time, the O’Connell’s the O’Driscoll’s, the O’Gara’s, were trying to achieve this for ten years and you could tell by their speeches and their actions through the season how much it meant to them. They had to drag along guys like Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney, young guys coming through. It is very similar to that now.”
“I think Rory (Best) is desperate for a Grand Slam because he feels a bigger part of it compared to back then. So for us it is about dragging those young kids along. They probably think they’re going to get loads of opportunities – as I know it doesn’t work out like that. I remember playing Scotland at Croke Park for a Triple Crown and almost taking it for granted, because I thought ‘a Triple Crown, I’ll have plenty of other opportunities like this’, and I still haven’t won a Triple Crown. So we’ve got to take these opportunities with both hands when they come.”
Rory Best looking forward to Twickenham test
Sexton was also fulsome in his praise for Joe Schmidt and his backroom team, considering they had to deal with a raft of injuries.
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“I think credit to the management team for being able to prepare us with so many changes. I think if at the start of the season if you’d said you’re going to win a championship without Josh (van der Flier), Sean (O’Brien), Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Robbie Henshaw and to lose Chris Farrell as well and there are others on that list too. It is great building towards World Cup’s and before that the Championship next year that we’ve built that depth and that has been done over the last couple of years. We know that the biggest challenge is ahead.”
Joe Schmidt determined to achieve a Grand Slam
