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Sexton doesn't hold a Gatland grudge after Lions snub

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Johnny Sexton says he doesn't bear any ill-feeling towards Wales head coach Warren Gatland, after he was overlooked for selection for the 2021 British and Irish Lions.The Ireland captain was a surprise omission from the Lions squad just under two years ago, missing out on a third tour after featuring in 2013 and 2017 under the Wales coach.Sexton spoke last year about how the snub had been a driving factor for him in recent seasons, while Gatland yesterday admitted that the 37-year-old had proven him wrong over the decision.And while the Leinster out-half says he still looks back with regrets on 2021, he says he doesn't hold a grudge with the Wales boss."It's something that you never get back which is why it hurts so bad at the time," the Ireland captain said."But people make their decisions and at the time, they probably make them for what they think are the right reasons."I met him at the [Six Nations] launch and there was no animosity or anything.

I shook hands and said hello. I got on really well with him on the two previous tours, which is probably why it hurt so much."But it is what it is.

It's over now, it was a long time ago."Sexton (above) is on course to start, and captain Ireland, in Saturday's Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff, having recovered from the facial injury picked up against Connacht on New Year's Day.After training recently while wearing a protective mask, he was able to remove it for the first time at today's session at their Quinta do Lago base in Portugal.The squad for Saturday's game will be named tomorrow afternoon, after which the squad will depart for Cardiff.Gatland named his Wales squad yesterday, with Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens, Alun-Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe

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