Johnny Sexton, 37, kicked 12 factors as Eire started Six Nations with 34-10 thumping of Wales; Sexton set to be match to face France in Dublin on Saturday; head coach Andy Farrell says Eire’s “greatest followers on the planet” will get behind their group towards defending champions

Johnny Sexton kicked 12 factors in Eire’s 34-10 Six Nations win over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday

Eire head coach Andy Farrell says he has no considerations over Johnny Sexton’s age following the 37-year’s return to motion after damage.

Fly-half Sexton mentioned he had by no means been extra nervous earlier than a sport going into Saturday’s 34-10 victory over Wales within the Six Nations, which was solely his second match in three months.

The Leinster again kicked 12 factors in Cardiff as Eire started their marketing campaign in model, with the group’s subsequent match at residence to reigning Six Nations champions France on Saturday.

Sexton is predicted to be match for that fixture in Dublin regardless of leaving the sector towards Wales 9 minutes from time attributable to a lifeless leg.

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Sexton admitted to feeling big nerves forward Eire’s Six Nations opener towards Wales

Farrell mentioned of Sexton: “There isn’t any doubt about his age in our thoughts.

“I spoke to him during the last two weeks consistently that there is not any excuse and he must be at his greatest. He cares about his rugby a lot and doing such a superb job for his group.

“We’re making an attempt to get him to some extent the place he’ll be at his greatest although he hasn’t performed for thus lengthy.

“How he handles that, how he runs a group, makes the group really feel proper after which goes out and performs on the similar time.

“His goal-kicking was glorious (on Saturday) and that is testomony to his character.”

Farrell: Eire followers ‘greatest in world’ at getting behind their group

France – who got here via a scare to beat Italy 29-24 of their Six Nations opener in Rome on Sunday – are the one main nation Farrell is but to beat throughout his tenure, with Eire having misplaced three successive Six Nations conferences with Fabien Galthié’s group.

Farrell mentioned: “I believe everybody realises what’s coming subsequent week. We all know what an impressive facet France are and the challenges they’re going to convey.

“There’s one factor about an Irish crowd – when there is a huge sport and so they know they need to get behind the group they’re the most effective on the planet. There isn’t any doubt about that.”

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Eire head coach, Andy Farrell says he was delighted with Eire’s successful begin to the Six Nations, towards Wales.

Talking shortly after the win over Wales, Farrell had mentioned: “I am delighted to get off to a superb begin as a result of as everyone knows this can be a actually troublesome place to start out the marketing campaign. Our historical past says precisely that.

“However our preparation has been prime drawer and we acquired what we deserved. On the similar time there’s a lot to do, to repair and get higher. It is not a nasty place to be.”

Eire make best Six Nations begin

Caelan Doris scored considered one of 4 Irish tries as they picked up a Six Nations win in Cardiff for the primary time in a decade

Eire made a really perfect begin to their 2023 Six Nations marketing campaign, as they secured a primary championship victory over Wales in Cardiff since 2013, notching a bonus-point 34-10 win to spoil Warren Gatland’s return.

Eire, regardless of being with out key duo Robbie Henshaw (wrist) and Tadhg Furlong (calf) attributable to damage, and shedding scrum-half Jamison Gibson Park and alternative loosehead Cian Healy on the day of the Check attributable to hamstring accidents, flew out of the traps below a closed roof on the Principality Stadium and didn’t look again from there.

Wales registered factors via a Dan Biggar penalty and a transformed Liam Williams attempt, however additionally they misplaced Williams to a sin-binning and had been firmly second greatest, leaving Gatland and co with a lot to do.

Observe textual content updates from Eire vs France (2.15pm begin) on skysports.com and the Sky Sports activities App on Saturday.