| Venue:Aviva Stadium in Dublin Date:Saturday, 5 Februar Kick-off:14:15 BST |
| Coverage:Live commentary on BBC Radio Ulster. BBC Radio Wales. BBC Radio Cymru. BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Live Audio and Text Commentary on the BBC Sport app and website. Live on S4C |
Johnny Sexton, Ireland captain says France’s defeat in 2020 Six Nations by France in Paris and how he reacted to it taught him many lessons.
Sexton, 36, is the skipper of Ireland for two years. He will be leading Ireland against Wales in Dublin’s opening game this year.
He was furious at being taken off during the 35-27 lossIn 2020, he shakes his head and looks at the box of coaches.
Sexton said, “I learned many lessons that week, before, after and during.”
“This one stands out immediately in terms of lessons I suppose.
“We didn’t prepare properly and that’s a major responsibility on the captain. Our performance on the day was not perfect. This is probably due to some of our prep work and then the reaction to the material.
“When you come out, like I said at the time, most of it was about disappointment in me that I didn’t play as well as the team.
You can’t allow your guard to drop for even a second. A small error like that can turn into something major.
“But again it makes you stronger and better prepared to try and bounceback and prove people wrong.”
Captaincy was a’very positive experience’
Sexton said that apart from the week in Paris, his experience as captain of the side was “a very positive experience”.
“I have loved every second of it. It was an honor to be asked. Every call that comes in before a campaign is a big deal. You’re always asking, “Is it going to bring good news or bad news?” He replied.
“I managed to keep it and am proud to be able to do it for so long.
“I will continue doing it as long as it is possible for me to prove that I am the man to do it.
“I have learned to not let it pressure me. It’s an honor, a privilege, something that people would love to do. This is how I view it.
“I don’t want it to be a burden, that’s why I tried to do it, but it hasn’t.
“I really hope it never happens, but there will always be challenges. However, if you’ve got the right people around you (management, leadership and players), you’ll get through them.”
“I intend to continue going as long as my fitness allows me”
Leinster’s fly-half, while indicating in the past that he would like continue playing for Ireland up to the 2023 World Cup, has yet to decide if he will play with the Irish Rugby Football Union.
“I think we will probably sit down at least at the end of Six Nations. This was the plan all along, and it was what I had expected.
“At this point you need to wait. I feel great right now. I feel great in the last two weeks of training, and at the beginning of the season. But you know that things can change.
“My intention is that I continue to work as long and as I enjoy it as possible. It doesn’t matter what the people in control want, it’s important for me.
