Sexton eager to make most of final chapters

The end is not near but that's not to say Johnny Sexton isn’t thinking about the days when his life won’t include pulling on the green jersey he loves so much.

The 36-year-old missed the Guinness Six Nations round two defeat to France, pulling up with a hamstring injury in training three days before the game.

It robbed the Dubliner of what would possibly, nay probably, be his last championship appearance against Les Bleus in that famous stadium.

But in one of his strongest indications yet that the World Cup, and featuring at the business end of that tournament, is still a firm target, Sexton dared to think out loud about getting back to Saint Denis in late 2023 still a valuable member of the squad.

Asked about looking on from the sideline as his team, for which he has lined out 102 times, lost 30-24 to France, and the possibility that a Six Nations shot may not come again, he said: "Yeah, of course, they’re the little things, that every opportunity you get to play in a green jersey when you’re my age, that you know it could be last.

"It could be your last of that fixture. I hope it’s not my last in the Stade de France because there’s some pretty important World Cup games there that I’d love to be a part of, so hopefully it’s not my last one in that stadium."

The Leinster out-half is, of course, referring to the battle for the Webb Ellis trophy, during which Sexton will be 38 years old.

Should Ireland emerge from a pool containing South Africa and Scotland (both games will be played in Stade de France) then there’s a possible quarter-final meeting with France on the cards at the same venue, which will also host the semi-finals and final.

If the body remains willing, there is no doubt what the heart and mind are telling him.

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